[1] Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: [2] Should this abundance of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted? [3] Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you? [4] You have said, "My teaching is sound, and I am pure in your sight." [5] But if only God would speak and open his lips against you! [6] He would show you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your iniquity. [7] Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? [8] They are higher than the heavens-what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol-what can you know? [9] Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. [10] If he passes by and throws someone in prison or convenes a court, who can stop him? [11] Surely he knows which people are worthless. If he sees iniquity, will he not take note of it? [12] But a stupid person will gain understanding as soon as a wild donkey is born a human! [13] As for you, if you redirect your heart and spread out your hands to him in prayer- [14] if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it, and don't allow injustice to dwell in your tents- [15] then you will hold your head high, free from fault. You will be firmly established and unafraid. [16] For you will forget your suffering, recalling it only as water that has flowed by. [17] Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. [18] You will be confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. [19] You will lie down with no one to frighten you, and many will seek your favor. [20] But the sight of the wicked will fail. Their way of escape will be cut off, and their only hope is their last breath.
