[1] Zophar from Naamah responded: [2] Should all these words go unanswered or a wordy man be justified? [3] Will your idle talk silence everyone; will you mock and not be put to shame? [4] You’ve said, “My teaching is pure, and I’m clean in God’s eyes.” [5] But oh, that God would speak, open his lips against you [6] and tell you secrets of wisdom; for sound insight has two sides. Know that God lets some of your sin be forgotten. [7] Can you find the secret of God or find the extent of the Almighty? [8] They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? Deeper than the underworld—what can you know? [9] Its measurement is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. [10] If God passes by, imprisons someone, and calls a trial, who can stop him? [11] He knows worthless people, sees sin, and certainly takes note. [12] A stupid person becomes intelligent when a wild ass of a person is born tame. [13] If you make your mind resolute and spread your palms to him, [14] if you throw out the sin in your hands and don’t let injustice dwell in your tents, [15] then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and not fear. [16] You will forget trouble; you will remember it as water that flows past. [17] A life span will rise brighter than noon; darkness will be like morning. [18] You will be secure, for there is hope; you will look around and rest safely. [19] You will lie down without anyone to scare you; many will beg for your favor. [20] The eyes of the wicked will grow faint; flight has vanished from them; their hope is a dying gasp.
