Zophar Speaks

1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

2Should this stream of words a go unanswered

and such a talker b be acquitted?

3Should your babbling put others to silence,

so that you can keep on ridiculing

with no one to humiliate you?

4You have said, “My teaching c is sound,

and I am pure in Your sight.”

5But if only God would speak

and declare His case d against you,

6He would show you the secrets of wisdom, e

for true wisdom has two sides.

Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your sin. f

7Can you fathom the depths of God

or discover the limits of the ^•Almighty? g

8They are higher than the heavens — what can you do?

They are deeper than ^•Sheol — what can you know? h

9Their measure is longer than the earth

and wider than the sea.

10If He passes by and throws someone in prison

or convenes a court, who can stop Him? i

11Surely He knows which people are worthless.

If He sees iniquity, will He not take note of it? j

12But a stupid man will gain understanding

as soon as a wild donkey is born a man!

13As for you, if you redirect your heart

and lift up your hands to Him in prayer —

14if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it,

and don’t allow injustice to dwell in your tents —

15then you will hold your head high, free from fault.

You will be firmly established and unafraid. k

16For you will forget your suffering,

recalling it only as waters that have flowed by.

17Your life will be brighter than noonday;

its darkness l will be like the morning. m

18You will be confident, because there is hope. n

You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. o

19You will lie down without fear,

and many will seek your favor. p

20But the sight of the wicked q will fail.

Their way of escape will be cut off,

and their only hope is their last breath. r