Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and should a man full of talk be justified?

Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

Will your empty talk silence others? Will you mock without anyone to rebuke you?

Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

For you say, 'My teaching is pure, and I have been clean in your eyes.'

For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

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

But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

and that He would declare to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom is double what you imagine. Know then that God exacts less of you than your guilt deserves.

And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

Can you search out the depths of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

If He passes by, imprisons, or calls an assembly, who can turn Him back?

If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

For He knows worthless men; He sees iniquity, even when He does not consider it.

For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

But an empty-headed man will gain understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born as a human being!

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

If you would set your heart right and stretch out your hands toward Him,

If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;

if iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wrongdoing dwell in your tent,

If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will stand firm and not fear.

For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

For you will forget your trouble, remembering it only as water that has passed by.

Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

Your life will shine brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.

And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

You will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and rest safely.

And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

You will lie down with no one to make you afraid, and many will seek your favor.

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will vanish from them; their only hope is the exhalation of life.

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.