Zophar Speaks

1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

2Should this abundance of wordsa go unanswered

and such a talkerA 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 teachinga is sound,

and I am pure in your sight.”

5But if only God would speak

and open his lips against you!

6He would show you the secrets of wisdom,a

for true wisdom has two sides.

Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your iniquity.b

7Can you fathom the depths of God

or discover the limits of the Almighty?a

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

They are deeper than Sheol — what can you know?a

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?a

11Surely he knows which people are worthless.

If he sees iniquity, will he not take note of it?a

12But a stupid person will gain understanding

as soon as a wild donkey is born a human!

13As for you, if you redirect your heart

and spread out 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.a

16For you will forget your suffering,

recalling it only as water that has flowed by.

17Your life will be brighter than noonday;

its darknessA will be like the morning.a

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

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

19You will lie down with no one to frighten you,

and many will seek your favor.a

20But the sight of the wickeda will fail.

Their way of escape will be cut off,

and their only hope is their last breath.b