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Dhammapada · narration sample

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The Bible · 447 of 1189

Job 11

1.Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, 2. Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? 3. Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? 4. For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. 5. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; 6. And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

7.Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? 8. It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? 9. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. 10. If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? 11. For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? 12. For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.

13.If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; 14. If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. 15. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: 16. Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: 17. And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. 18. And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. 19. Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. 20. But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

Asked of Guide

Why does Zophar insist Job cannot know God's wisdom or defend himself fully?

Zophar says God’s wisdom is immense—“as high as heaven…deeper than hell”—so human inquiry cannot reach perfection. He argues that God’s knowledge exposes human vanity: “vain man would be wise,” and therefore God will exact punishment less than deserved but still justly condemn wickedness. Zophar tells Job to repent practically: “put [iniquity] far away” and “prepare thine heart,” promising restoration—“thou shalt be stedfast…thou shalt shine forth”—if Job removes sin and reaches for God. This counsel echoes Proverbs’ theme that humility and fleeing wickedness open the way to wisdom and security.

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