1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite replied,

Then 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?

Should 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?

Should 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.

For 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,

But 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.

And 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 ?

Can 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?

His 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.

Longer 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?

If 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?

For 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.

But 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,

If 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;

If 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.

Then 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.

For 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.

And 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.

And 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.

You 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.

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