1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man giving lip be justified?
3 Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one make you ashamed?
4 For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in Your eyes.
5 But oh that God would speak, and open His lips against you,
6 that He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your wisdom. Know therefore that God forgets some of your iniquity.
7 Can you search and find out God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?
8 They are higher than the heavens; what can you do? Deeper than Sheol; what can you know?
9 Their measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.
10 If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers together, then who can repulse Him?
11 For He knows the vanity of men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?
12 For an empty-headed man will be wise, when a wild asss colt is born a man.
13 If you have prepared your heart, and spread out your hands toward Him;
14 if iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tents.
15 Then surely you shall lift up your face without blemish; yea, you shall be steadfast, and not fear;
16 because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that have passed away,
17 and your lifetime shall arise more than the brightness of the noonday. Though you were dark, you shall be like the morning.
18 And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yea, you shall dig around you, and rest in safety.
19 You shall also lie down, and no one shall cause you to tremble; yea, many shall entreat your favor.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and their place of escape shall perish; and their hope, as the expiring of the soul!