1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite answered,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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