✧Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: ✧2“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated? ✧3Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke? ✧4You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’ ✧5But if only God would speak and open His lips against you, ✧6and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves. ✧7Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? ✧8They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? ✧9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. ✧10If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him? ✧11Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note? ✧12But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man! ✧13As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him, ✧14if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents, ✧15then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid. ✧16For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by. ✧17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. ✧18You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety. ✧19You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor. ✧20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”