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?

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

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

Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

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

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

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

But oh that God would 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.

that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

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

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe 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 heaven. What can you do? They are 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 confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

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

For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

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

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

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

“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward 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. Don’t let unrighteousness 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:

Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

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

for you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it like waters that have passed away.

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

Life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as 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.

You shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.

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

Also you shall lie down, and no one shall make you afraid. Yes, many shall court 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 shall fail. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit.”