Job Reasons with Zophar

1In response, Job said:

2“Listen carefully to my words;

let this encourage all of you.

3Bear with me and let me speak!

Then, after I’ve spoken, you’ll be free to mock me.

4After all, isn’t my complaint against a human being?

If so, why shouldn’t I be impatient?

5Look at me, be appalled,

and then shut up!

6When I think about this,a I’m petrified with terror

and my body shudders uncontrollably.”

The Wicked Prospers

7“Why do the wicked live to reach old age

and increase in power and wealth, too?

8Their children grow up while they’re alive,

and they live to see their grandchildren.

9Their houses are safe from fear,

and God’s chastisementb never visits them.

10Their bull breeds without fail,

and their cows calve without miscarriages.

11They release their children to play like sheep;

their young onesc dance about,

12singingd with tambourines and lyres

as they rejoice to the sound of flutes.

13They grow olde in prosperity,

as they descend peacefully into the afterlife.f

14“They say to God, ‘Turn away from us!

We have no desire to know your ways.

15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him?

Where’s the profit in talking to him?’

16Behold! Their prosperity isn’t in their control!

The counsel of the wicked will remain far from me.”

God will Punish the Wicked

17“How often do the wicked have their lights put out?

Does calamity ever fall on them?

Will Godg in his anger ever apportion their destruction?

18May they become like a straw,

blown away before the wind;

like a chaff that’s swept off by a storm.

19God stores up their iniquity to repay their children;

making themh repay so that they may be aware.

20Their own eyes will see their destruction;

and they’ll drink the wrath of the Almighty.

21What will they care for their household after them,

when the number of his months comes to an end?”

Death Levels Everyone

22“Can God learn anything?

After all, he will judge even the exalted ones.

23Such persons will die in their full vigor,

completely prosperous and secure.

24His buckets are filled with milk,

his bone marrow is healthy.i

25Others die with a bitter soul,

never having tasted the good life.j

26They both lie down in the dust;

and wormsk cover them.”

Job Suspects His Friends of Treachery

27“Look! I know your thoughts,

your plansl are going to harm me.

28You ask, ‘Where is the noble person’s house?’

and ‘Where are the tents where the wicked live?’

29Haven’t you asked travelers on the highway?

Don’t you accept their word

30that the wicked person is spared from times of calamity,

that he is rescued on the day of wrath?

31Who will expose his conduct to his face?

Who will repay him for what he has done

32when he is carried away to the cemetery

and guardians are placed to watch his tomb?

33The runoff from the streams will seem sweet to him;

everyone will follow after him;

countless crows march ahead of him.

34How then, can you console me so worthlessly?

What is left of your answers is treachery.”