1 ¶ Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered 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 be silent? Shalt thou mock, and 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 before 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 show thee the secrets of wisdom! For thou dost deserve double according to sound wisdom; and thou dost know that God has forgotten thee because of thine iniquity.

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 ¶ Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou come unto the perfection of the Almighty?

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

8 I t is higher than the heavens; what canst thou do? It is deeper than Sheol; how canst thou know it?

They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?

9 T he measure of it 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 cuts off, or shuts up, or gathers 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 knows the vain men; and he sees the iniquity; will he not then understand it?

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

12 T he vain man shall make himself understood, though man is 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 ¶ If thou would 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 there is any iniquity in thy hand and thou dost put it far away and dost not consent that wickedness dwell in thy habitations,

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

15 t hen shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; thou shalt be strongly established and shalt not fear;

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

16 a nd thou shalt forget thy misery and remember it as waters that passed 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 trust because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig and sleep in safety;

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

19 t hou shalt lie down, and no one shall make thee afraid; and many shall make requests 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 consume themselves, and they shall have no refuge, and their hope shall be agony of the soul.

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.”