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?

“Should many words go without an answer? Should a man full of talk be said to be without blame?

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

Should your words of pride make men quiet? Should you make fun of truth and no one speak sharp words to you?

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

For you say, ‘What I believe is pure. I am without fault in Your eyes.’

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

If only God would 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.

He would show you the secrets of wisdom because there are two sides. Then you would know that God is punishing you less than you should get.

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

“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out how far the All-powerful can go?

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

They are higher than the heavens. What can you do? They are deeper than the place of the dead. What can you know?

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

They are longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

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

If He passes by, puts a man in prison, or calls him to trial, who can stop Him?

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

For He knows men who are no good. When He sees wrong-doing, will He not look into it?

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

A fool cannot become wise anymore than a wild donkey can give birth to a man.

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

“If you set your heart right, and put out your hands 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;

and if you put away the sin that is in your hand, do not let wrong-doing be in your tents.

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

Then you will be able to lift up your face without sin. You would be strong and not afraid.

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

For you would forget your trouble, remembering it as waters that have passed by.

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 noon. 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. You would look around and rest and be safe.

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 no one would make you afraid. Many would ask for 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 sinful will waste away. There will be no way for them to get away. And their hope is to breathe their last.”