An Appeal for Relief

18 “Why then did you bring me out from the womb?

I should have died

and no eye would have seen me!

19 I should have been as though I had never existed;

I should have been carried

right from the womb to the grave!

20 Are not my days few?

Cease, then, and leave me alone,

that I may find a little comfort,

21 before I depart, never to return,

to the land of darkness

and the deepest shadow,

22 to the land of utter darkness,

like the deepest darkness,

and the deepest shadow and disorder,

where even the light is like darkness.”

11 Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke up and said:

2 “Should not this abundance of words be answered,

or should this talkative man

be vindicated?

3 Will your idle talk reduce people to silence,

and will no one rebuke you when you mock?

4 For you have said, ‘My teaching is flawless,

and I am pure in your sight.’

5 But if only God would speak,

if only he would open his lips against you,

6 and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom –

for true wisdom has two sides –

so that you would know

that God has forgiven some of your sins.

7 “Can you discover the essence of God?

Can you find out

the perfection of the Almighty?

8 It is higher than the heavens – what can you do?

It is deeper than Sheol – what can you know?

9 Its measure is longer than the earth,

and broader than the sea.

10 If he comes by and confines you

and convenes a court,

then who can prevent him?

11 For he knows deceitful men;

when he sees evil, will he not consider it?

12 But an empty man will become wise,

when a wild donkey’s colt is born a human being.

13 “As for you, if you prove faithful,

and if you stretch out your hands toward him,

14 if iniquity is in your hand – put it far away,

and do not let evil reside in your tents.

15 For then you will lift up your face

without blemish;

you will be securely established

and will not fear.

16 For you will forget your trouble;

you will remember it

like water that has flowed away.

17 And life will be brighter than the noonday;

though there be darkness,

it will be like the morning.

18 And you will be secure, because there is hope;

you will be protected

and will take your rest in safety.

19 You will lie down with no one to make you afraid,

and many will seek your favor.

20 But the eyes of the wicked fail,

and escape eludes them;

their one hope is to breathe their last.”

12 Then Job answered:

2 “Without a doubt you are the people,

and wisdom will die with you.

3 I also have understanding as well as you;

I am not inferior to you.

Who does not know such things as these?

4 I am a laughingstock to my friends,

I, who called on God and whom he answered –

a righteous and blameless man

is a laughingstock!

5 For calamity, there is derision

(according to the ideas of the fortunate ) –

a fate for those whose feet slip!

6 But the tents of robbers are peaceful,

and those who provoke God are confident –

who carry their god in their hands.