1 T hen Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,

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

“Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a talkative man be acquitted?

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

“Shall your boasts silence men? And shall you scoff and none rebuke?

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

“For you have said, ‘My teaching is pure, And I am innocent in your eyes.’

5 B ut oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,

“But would that God might speak, And open His lips against you,

6 t hat 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.

And show you the secrets of wisdom! For sound wisdom has two sides. Know then that God forgets a part of your iniquity.

7 “ Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

“ Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?

8 T hey are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?

“ They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know?

9 I ts measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

“Its measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.

10 I f he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

“If He passes by or shuts up, Or calls an assembly, who can restrain Him?

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

“For He knows false men, And He sees iniquity without investigating.

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

“ An idiot will become intelligent When the foal of a wild donkey is born a man.

13 “ If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.

“ If you would direct your heart right And spread out your hand to Him,

14 I f iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, And do not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

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

“Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect, And you would be steadfast and not fear.

16 f or you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it like waters that have passed away.

“For you would forget your trouble, As waters that have passed by, you would remember it.

17 L ife shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning.

“Your life would be brighter than noonday; Darkness would be like the morning.

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

“Then you would trust, because there is hope; And you would look around and rest securely.

19 A lso you shall lie down, and no one shall make you afraid. Yes, many shall court your favor.

“You would lie down and none would disturb you, And many would entreat your favor.

20 B ut the eyes of the wicked shall fail. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit.”

“But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And there will be no escape for them; And their hope is to breathe their last.”