[1] Then Zophar the Naamathite responded, [2] “Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a talkative man be acquitted? [3] “Shall your boasts silence people? And will you scoff, and no one rebuke? [4] “For you have said, ‘My teaching is pure, And I am innocent in your eyes.’ [5] “But if only God would speak, And open His lips against you, [6] And show you the secrets of wisdom! For sound wisdom has two sides. Know then that God forgets part of your guilt. [7] “Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? [8] “They are as high as the heavens; what can you do? Deeper than Sheol; what can you know? [9] “Its measurement is longer than the earth And broader than the sea. [10] “If He passes by or apprehends people, Or calls an assembly, who can restrain Him? [11] “For He knows false people, And He sees injustice without investigating. [12] “An idiot will become intelligent When a wild donkey is born a human. [13] “If you would direct your heart rightly And spread out your hands to Him, [14] If wrongdoing is in your hand, put it far away, And do not let malice dwell in your tents; [15] Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral blemish, And you would be firmly established and not fear. [16] “For you would forget your trouble; Like waters that have passed by, you would remember it. [17] “Your life would be brighter than noonday; Darkness would be like the morning. [18] “Then you would trust, because there is hope; And you would look around and rest securely. [19] “You would lie down and none would disturb you, And many would flatter you. [20] “But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And there will be no escape for them; And their hope is to breathe their last.”
