[1] Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said, [2] “Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a man of lips be in the right? [3] “Shall your boasts silence men? And shall you mock and none rebuke? [4] “You have said, ‘My learning is pure, And I am innocent in your eyes.’ [5] “But would that God might speak, And open His lips against you, [6] And tell you the secrets of wisdom! For sound wisdom has two sides. Know then that God forgets a part of your iniquity. [7] “Can you find the depths of God? Can you find the limits of the Almighty? [8] “They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know? [9] “Its measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea. [10] “If He sweeps by or shuts up, Or calls an assembly, who can turn Him around? [11] “For He knows worthless men, And He sees wickedness, so will He not carefully consider it? [12] “Yet an empty headed man will obtain a heart of wisdom, And the foal of a wild donkey is born a man. [13] “If you would set your heart right And spread out your hand to Him, [14] If wickedness is in your hand, put it far away, And do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents; [15] Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect, And you would be steadfast and not fear. [16] “For you would forget your trouble, As waters that pass by, so you would remember it. [17] “And your lifetime would arise brighter than noonday; Darkness would be like the morning. [18] “Then you would trust, because there is hope; And you would search around and rest securely. [19] “You would lie down and none would make you tremble, And many would entreat your favor. [20] “But the eyes of the wicked will come to an end, And escape will perish from them; And their hope is the expiring of their soul.”
