Dual Panel1Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke up:
2Is this spate of words to go unanswered? Must the glib of tongue always be right?
3Is your endless talk to reduce others to silence? When you speak irreverently, is no one to take you to task?
4You claim that your opinions are sound; you say to God, “I am spotless in your sight.”
5But if only God would speak and open his lips to reply,
6to expound to you the secrets of wisdom, for wonderful are its achievements! Know then that God exacts from you less than your sin deserves.
7Can you fathom the mystery of God, or attain to the limits of the Almighty?
8They are higher than the heavens. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?
9In extent they are longer than the earth and broader than the ocean.
10If he passes by, he may keep secret his passing; if he proclaims it, who can turn him back?
11He surely knows who are false, and when he sees iniquity, does he not take note of it?
12A fool will attain to understanding when a wild ass's foal is born a human being!
13If only you had directed your heart rightly and spread out your hands in prayer to him!
14Any wrongdoing you have in hand, thrust it far away, and do not let iniquity make its home with you.
15Then you could hold up your head without fault; you would be steadfast and fearless.
16Then you will forget trouble, remembering it only as floodwaters that have passed.
17Life will be lasting, radiant as noon, and darkness will be turned to morning.
18You will be confident, because there is hope; sure of protection, you will rest in confidence
19and lie down unafraid. The great will court your favour.
20But blindness will fall on the wicked; to them the ways of escape are closed, and their only hope is death.