1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: (Job 2:11)2“Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right? (Pr 10:19; Ec 5:3)3Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?4For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God’s[1] eyes.’ (De 32:2; Job 10:7; Pr 4:2; Isa 29:24)5But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you,6and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding.[2] Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves. (Ezr 9:13; Job 5:12)7“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? (Job 5:9; Ps 145:3; Ec 3:11; Ec 8:17; Ro 11:33)8It is higher than heaven[3]—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? (Job 22:12; Ps 139:8)9Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.10If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back? (Job 9:11; Job 9:12; Job 12:14; Job 23:13)11For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? (Ps 26:4)12But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man! (Job 39:5; Ps 73:22; Ec 3:18)13“If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. (1Sa 7:3; Ps 44:20; Ps 78:8; Ps 88:9; Ps 143:6)14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents.15Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. (Ge 4:5; Job 22:26; Job 31:7; Ps 119:6; 2Pe 3:14; 1Jo 3:21)16You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. (Isa 65:16)17And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. (Ps 37:6; Isa 58:8; Isa 58:10)18And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. (Le 26:5; Ps 4:8; Pr 3:24; Isa 17:2; Zep 3:13)19You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor. (Job 11:18; Ps 45:12)20But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last.” (Job 17:5; Job 31:16; Jer 15:9)