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?

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

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

Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

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

But oh that 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.

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

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe 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 heaven. What can you do? They are 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 confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

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

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

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

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

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

“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward 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. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

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

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

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

for you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it like waters that have passed away.

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

Life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as 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.

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

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

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 will fail, And they shall not escape, And their hope—loss of life!”

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.”