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1.
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
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2.
"Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?
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3.
Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?
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4.
You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.'
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5.
Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you
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6.
and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.
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7.
"Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
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8.
They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave--what can you know?
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9.
Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
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10.
"If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?
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11.
Surely he recognizes deceitful men; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?
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12.
But a witless man can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born a man.
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13.
"Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,
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14.
if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
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15.
then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.
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16.
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
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17.
Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
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18.
You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
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19.
You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.
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20.
But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp."
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