[1] Then Zophar the Naamathite replied, [2] “Don’t all your words require an answer? I’m sure that what you are saying can’t be right. [3] Your useless talk won’t keep us quiet. Someone has to correct you when you make fun of truth. [4] You say to God, ‘My beliefs are perfect. I’m pure in your sight.’ [5] I wish God would speak. I wish he’d answer you. [6] I wish he’d show you the secrets of wisdom. After all, true wisdom has two sides. Here’s what I want you to know. God has forgotten some of your sins. [7] “Do you know how deep the mysteries of God are? Can you discover the limits of the Mighty One’s knowledge? [8] They are higher than the heavens above. What can you do? They are deeper than the deepest parts of the earth below. What can you know? [9] They are longer than the earth. They are wider than the ocean. [10] “Suppose God comes along and puts you in prison. Suppose he takes you to court. Then who can oppose him? [11] He certainly knows when people tell lies. When he sees evil, he pays careful attention to it. [12] A wild donkey’s colt can’t be born a human being. And it’s just as impossible that a person without sense can become wise. [13] “So commit yourself to God completely. Reach out your hands to him for help. [14] Get rid of all the sin you have. Don’t let anything that is evil stay in your tent. [15] Then, free of those things, you can face others. You can stand firm without being afraid. [16] You can be sure you will forget your troubles. They will be like water that has flowed on by. [17] Life will be brighter than the sun at noon. And darkness will become like morning. [18] You will be secure, because there is hope. You will look around you and find a safe place to rest. [19] You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Many people will want you to help them. [20] But sinful people won’t find what they are looking for. They won’t be able to escape. All they can hope for is to die.”
