1. Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,
2. "Should many words go without an answer? Should a man full of talk be said to be without blame?
3. Should your words of pride make men quiet? Should you make fun of truth and no one speak sharp words to you?
4. For you say, 'What I believe is pure. I am without fault in Your eyes.'
5. If only God would speak, and open His lips against you.
6. He would show you the secrets of wisdom because there are two sides. Then you would know that God is punishing you less than you should get.
7. "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out how far the All-powerful can go?
8. They are higher than the heavens. What can you do? They are deeper than the place of the dead. What can you know?
9. They are longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
10. If He passes by, puts a man in prison, or calls him to trial, who can stop Him?
11. For He knows men who are no good. When He sees wrong-doing, will He not look into it?
12. A fool cannot become wise anymore than a wild donkey can give birth to a man.
13. "If you set your heart right, and put out your hands to Him,
14. and if you put away the sin that is in your hand, do not let wrong-doing be in your tents.
15. Then you will be able to lift up your face without sin. You would be strong and not afraid.
16. For you would forget your trouble, remembering it as waters that have passed by.
17. Your life would be brighter than noon. Darkness would be like the morning.
18. Then you would trust, because there is hope. You would look around and rest and be safe.
19. You would lie down and no one would make you afraid. Many would ask for your favor.
20. But the eyes of the sinful will waste away. There will be no way for them to get away. And their hope is to breathe their last."