^1. Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

^2. "Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?

^3. Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?

^4. You say to God, `My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.'

^5. Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you

^6. and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.

^7. "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

^8. They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave [1] --what can you know?

^9. Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

^10. "If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?

^11. Surely he recognizes deceitful men; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?

^12. But a witless man can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born a man. [2]

^13. "Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,

^14. if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,

^15. then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.

^16. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.

^17. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.

^18. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

^19. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.

^20. But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp."