1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

2"Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?

3Should your lies make men silent? And will you mock and no one make you ashamed?

4For you have said, 'My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in Your eyes. '

5But oh, that God would speak, and open His lips against you,

6And would tell you the secrets of His wisdom. For sound wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.

7Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?

8They are higher than the heights of the heavens! What can you do? It is deeper than the pit, what can you know?

9The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10If He passes through and imprisons, or convenes a court, then who can turn Him back?

11For He knows vain men; and when He sees wickedness, will He not take note?

12For vain man would be wise, though man is born like a wild donkey's colt.

13If you prepare your heart and stretch out your hands toward Him;

14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness dwell in your tabernacles;

15Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; yea, you shall be steadfast and shall not fear;

16For you shall forget your misery, and you shall remember it as waters that pass away.

17And your life shall be brighter than the noonday; darkness shall be as the morning.

18And you shall be safe, because there is hope; yea, you shall look around you, and you shall take your rest in safety.

19You shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. Yea, many shall seek your favor.

20But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall have no escape, and their hope shall be like the giving up of the spirit."