1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite answered,

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

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

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

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

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

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. 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 true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of 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 fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe 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 high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?

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

Its 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, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose 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 false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

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

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

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

“If you set your heart aright, 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 is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19 Y ou would lie down and no one would make you afraid. Many would ask for 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 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 shall fail. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit.”