1 T hen answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,

2 S hould not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

“Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a talkative man be acquitted?

3 S hould thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

“Shall your boasts silence men? And shall you scoff and none rebuke?

4 F or thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

“For you have said, ‘My teaching is pure, And I am innocent in your eyes.’

5 B ut oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

“But would that God might speak, And open His lips against you,

6 a nd 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 show you the secrets of wisdom! For sound wisdom has two sides. Know then that God forgets a part of your iniquity.

7 C anst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

“ Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?

8 I t is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

“ They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know?

9 T he measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

“Its measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.

10 I f he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

“If He passes by or shuts up, Or calls an assembly, who can restrain Him?

11 F or he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

“For He knows false men, And He sees iniquity without investigating.

12 F or vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.

“ An idiot will become intelligent When the foal of a wild donkey is born a man.

13 I f thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;

“ If you would direct your heart right And spread out your hand to Him,

14 i f iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, And do not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

15 F or then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

“Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect, And you would be steadfast and not fear.

16 b ecause thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

“For you would forget your trouble, As waters that have passed by, you would remember it.

17 a nd thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

“Your life would be brighter than noonday; Darkness would be like the morning.

18 A nd thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

“Then you would trust, because there is hope; And you would look around and rest securely.

19 A lso thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

“You would lie down and none would disturb you, And many would entreat your favor.

20 B ut 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 of the wicked will fail, And there will be no escape for them; And their hope is to breathe their last.”