1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

2 "Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?

3 Will your idle talk reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?

4 You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.'

5 Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you

6 and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.

7 "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

8 They are higher than the heavens above —what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below —what can you know?

9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

10 "If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?

11 Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?

12 But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born human. [^1]

13 "Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,

14 if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,

15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.

16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.

17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.

18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.

20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp."

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

3 Should your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

4 For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.

5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you;

6 And that he would show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

7 Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty to perfection?

8 It is as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you know?

9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

11 For he knows vain men: he sees wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

12 For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass' colt.

13 If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward him;

14 If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.

15 For then shall you lift up your face without spot; yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

16 Because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

17 And your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you shall be as the morning.

18 And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yes, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.

19 Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yes, many shall make suit to you.

20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.