[1] Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,
[2] “Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a talkative man be acquitted?
[3] Shall your boasts silence men? And shall you scoff and none rebuke?
[4] For you have said, ‘My teaching is pure, And I am innocent in your eyes.’
[5] But would that God might 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 a part of your iniquity.
[7] Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover 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 passes by or shuts up, Or calls an assembly, who can restrain Him?
[11] For He knows false men, And He sees iniquity without investigating.
[12] An idiot will become intelligent When the foal of a wild donkey is born a man.
[13] If you would direct your heart right And spread out your hand to Him,
[14] If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, And do not let wickedness 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 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 entreat your favor.
[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.”