1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite replied,

2 S hould not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be pronounced free from guilt or blame?

3 S hould your boastings and babble make men keep silent? And when you mock and scoff, shall no man make you ashamed?

4 F or you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in eyes.

5 B ut oh, that God would speak, and open His lips against you,

6 A nd that He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For He is manifold in understanding! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your guilt and iniquity.

7 C an you find out the deep things of God, or can you by searching find out the limits of the Almighty ?

8 H is wisdom is as high as the heights of heaven! What can you do? It is deeper than Sheol (the place of the dead)! What can you know?

9 L onger in measure is it than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10 I f sweeps in and arrests and calls into judgment, who can hinder Him?

11 F or He recognizes and knows hollow, wicked, and useless men (men of falsehood); when He sees iniquity, will He not consider it?

12 B ut a stupid man will get wisdom when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.

13 I f you set your heart aright and stretch out your hands to,

14 I f you put sin out of your hand and far away from you and let not evil dwell in your tents;

15 T hen can you lift up your face to Him without stain; yes, you shall be steadfast and secure; you shall not fear.

16 F or you shall forget your misery; you shall remember it as waters that pass away.

17 A nd life shall be clearer than the noonday and rise above it; though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.

18 A nd you shall be secure and feel confident because there is hope; yes, you shall search about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.

19 Y ou shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yes, many shall sue for your favor.

20 B ut the eyes of the wicked shall look in vain, and they shall not escape; and their hope shall be to give up the ghost.