1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

2 "Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered?

Should a man full of talk be justified?

3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace?

When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure.

I am clean in your eyes.’

5 But oh that God would speak,

and open his lips against you,

6 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 fathom the mystery of God?

Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

8 They are high as heaven. What can you do?

They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?

9 Its measure is longer than the earth,

and broader than the sea.

10 If he passes by, or confines,

or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

11 For he knows false men.

He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

12 An empty-headed man becomes wise

when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

13 "If you set your heart aright,

stretch out your hands toward him.

14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away.

Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

15 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot.

Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

16 for you will forget your misery.

You will remember it like waters that have passed away.

17 Life will be clearer than the noonday.

Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.

18 You will be secure, because there is hope.

Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.

19 Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid.

Yes, many will court your favor.

20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail.

They will have no way to flee.

Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit."

1 拿玛人琐法回答说：

2 "这许多的话怎可不回答， 多嘴多舌的人怎能算为义呢？

3 你胡言乱语可使人不作声吗？你嘲笑的时候， 无人责备吗？

4 你说： ‘我的道理纯全， 我在你眼前洁净。’

5 但愿 神说话， 愿他开口跟你说话，

6 把智慧的奥秘向你显明， 因为真的智慧有两面。你当知道 神已忘记了你一部分的罪孽。

7 神高深莫测之事你怎能查出呢？全能者的终极你怎能洞悉呢？

8 他的智慧高于诸天， 你能作什么呢？比阴间还深， 你怎能识透？

9 他的智慧比地长， 比海宽。

10 他若过来把人囚禁， 召人受审， 谁能阻止他呢？

11 因为他认识虚谎的人， 他看见欺诈， 怎能不鉴察？

12 虚妄的人悟出慧心， 就像野驴生子为人。

13 你若心里归向他， 又向他伸手祷告；

14 你若远远地除掉你手里的欺诈， 不让不义居在你的帐棚里；

15 那么你必仰面， 毫无愧色； 你也必坚定稳妥， 无所惧怕。

16 你必忘记你的苦楚， 回忆好像逝去的流水，

17 你们的人生必明亮如正午， 虽然黑暗仍像早晨。

18 因为有指望， 你必安稳， 你必四处巡查， 安然睡觉。

19 你躺卧， 不受惊吓， 必有很多人求你的情面。

20 但恶人的眼目必昏花， 逃亡之路也必断绝， 他们的指望就是最后的一口气。"