1   Then Zophar the Naamathite began:

2   Should this spate of words not be answered?
Must a man of ready tongue be always right?
3   Is your endless talk to reduce men to silence?
Are you to talk nonsense and no one rebuke you?
4   You claim that your opinions are sound;

First cycle of speeches
you say to God, ‘I am spotless in thy sight.’
5   But if only he would speak
and open his lips to talk with you,
6   and expound to you the secrets of wisdom,
for wonderful are its effects!
[Know then that God exacts from you less than your sin deserves.]
7   Can you fathom the mystery of God,
can you fathom the perfection of the Almighty?
8   It is higher than heaven; ^note you can do nothing.
It is deeper than Sheol; you can know nothing.
9   Its measure is longer than the earth
and broader than the sea.
10   If he passes by, he may keep secret his passing;
if he proclaims it, who can turn him back?
11   He surely knows which men are false,
and when he sees iniquity, does he not take note of it? ^note
12   Can a fool grow wise?
can a wild ass's foal be born a man?
13   If only you had directed your heart rightly
and spread out your hands to pray to him!
14   If you have wrongdoing in hand, thrust it away;
let no iniquity make its home with you.
15   Then you could hold up your head without fault,
a man of iron, knowing no fear.
16   Then you will forget your trouble;
you will remember it only as flood-waters that have passed;
17   life will be lasting, bright as noonday,
and darkness will be turned to morning.
18   You will be confident, because there is hope;
sure of protection, you will lie down in confidence; ^note
19   great men will seek your favour.
20   Blindness will fall on the wicked;
the ways of escape are closed to them,
and their hope is despair.

Previous section

Next section