1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite answered,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But oh, that 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.

That 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.

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

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

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?

They are higher than heaven— what can you do? Deeper than Sheol— what can you know?

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

Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.

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

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

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

For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Because you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away,

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

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

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

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

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

You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court 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.”

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