1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,

2 “ Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated?

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

3 S hould your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you?

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

4 F or you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.’

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

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

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

6 T hat He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves.

And 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 search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?

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

8 T hey are higher than heaven— what can you do? Deeper than Sheol— what can you know?

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

9 T heir measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.

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

10 “ If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him?

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

11 F or He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?

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

12 F or an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.

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

13 “ If you would prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him;

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

14 I f iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

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

15 T hen surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;

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

16 B ecause you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away,

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

17 A nd your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning.

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

18 A nd you would be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety.

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

19 Y ou would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court your favor.

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

20 B ut the eyes of the wicked will fail, And they shall not escape, And their hope—loss of life!”

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