1Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
2“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered?
Should a man full of talk be justified?
3Should your boastings make men hold their peace?
When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
4For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure.
I am clean in Your eyes.’
5But oh that God would speak,
and open His lips against you,
6that He would show you the secrets of wisdom!
For true wisdom has two sides.
Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
7“Can you fathom the mystery of God?
Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
8They are high as heaven. What can you do?
They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?
9Its measure is longer than the earth,
and broader than the sea.
10If He passes by, or confines,
or convenes a court, then who can oppose Him?
11For He knows false men.
He sees iniquity also, even though He doesn’t consider it.
12An empty-headed man becomes wise
when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
13“If you set your heart aright,
stretch out your hands toward Him.
14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away.
Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
15Surely then you will lift up your face without spot.
Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,
16for you will forget your misery.
You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
17Life will be clearer than the noonday.
Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
18You will be secure, because there is hope.
Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
19Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid.
Yes, many will court your favor.
20But the eyes of the wicked will fail.
They will have no way to flee.
Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”
1Respondens autem Sophar Naamathites, dixit: 2Numquid qui multa loquitur, non et audiet? aut vir verbosus justificabitur? 3Tibi soli tacebunt homines? et cum ceteros irriseris, a nullo confutaberis? 4Dixisti enim: Purus est sermo meus, et mundus sum in conspectu tuo. 5Atque utinam Deus loqueretur tecum, et aperiret labia sua tibi, 6ut ostenderet tibi secreta sapientiæ, et quod multiplex esset lex ejus: et intelligeres quod multo minora exigaris ab eo quam meretur iniquitas tua! 7Forsitan vestigia Dei comprehendes, et usque ad perfectum Omnipotentem reperies? 8Excelsior cælo est, et quid facies? profundior inferno, et unde cognosces? 9Longior terra mensura ejus, et latior mari. 10Si subverterit omnia, vel in unum coarctaverit, quis contradicet ei? 11Ipse enim novit hominum vanitatem; et videns iniquitatem, nonne considerat? 12Vir vanus in superbiam erigitur, et tamquam pullum onagri se liberum natum putat. 13Tu autem firmasti cor tuum, et expandisti ad eum manus tuas. 14Si iniquitatem quæ est in manu tua abstuleris a te, et non manserit in tabernaculo tuo injustitia, 15tunc levare poteris faciem tuam absque macula; et eris stabilis, et non timebis. 16Miseriæ quoque oblivisceris, et quasi aquarum quæ præterierunt recordaberis. 17Et quasi meridianus fulgor consurget tibi ad vesperam; et cum te consumptum putaveris, orieris ut lucifer. 18Et habebis fiduciam, proposita tibi spe: et defossus securus dormies. 19Requiesces, et non erit qui te exterreat; et deprecabuntur faciem tuam plurimi. 20Oculi autem impiorum deficient, et effugium peribit ab eis: et spes illorum abominatio animæ.