Geneva Study Bible Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man {a} full of talk be justified?
(a) Should he persuade by his great talk that he is just? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. For thou hast said, {b} My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
(b) He charges Job with this, that he should say, that the thing which he spoke was true, and that he was without sin in the sight of God. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
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. And that he would shew thee the {c} secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
(c) Which is not to stand in justifying of yourself: he signifies that man will never be overcome while he reasons with another, and therefore God must break off the controversy, and stop man's mouth. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? {d} deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
(d) That is, this perfection of God, and if man is not able to comprehend the height of the heavens, the depth of the earth, the breadth of the sea, which are but creatures, how can he attain to the perfection of the creator. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? If he cut off, and {e} shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
(e) If God should turn the state of things and establish a new order in nature, who could control him? For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild {f} ass's colt.
(f) That is, without understanding, so that whatever gifts he has afterward come from God, and not from nature. If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; If thou {g} prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
(g) If you repent, pray to him. If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. If iniquity be in thine {h} hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
(h) Renounce your own evil works and see that they do not offend God, over whom you have charge. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: For then shalt thou lift up thy {i} face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
(i) He declares the quietness of conscience and success in all things that they shall have who turn to God in true repentance. Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
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. But the eyes {k} of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. (k) He shows that contrary things will come to them who do not repent. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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