1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite answered,

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

3 S hould 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 say, ‘What I believe is pure. I am without fault in Your eyes.’

5 I f only God would speak, and open His lips against you.

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

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

9 T hey are longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

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

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

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

13 “ If you set your heart right, and put out your hands to Him,

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

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

16 F or you would forget your trouble, remembering it as waters that have passed by.

17 Y our life would be brighter than noon. Darkness would be like the morning.

18 T hen you would trust, because there is hope. You would look around and rest and be safe.

19 Y ou would lie down and no one would make you afraid. Many would ask for your favor.

20 B ut 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.”