1 And Tsophar the Na‛amathite answered and said,
2 “Should a multitude of words go un-answered? And should a man of lips be declared right?
3 Should your babblings silence men? And should you mock, and no one make you ashamed?
4 Since you have said, ‘My discourse is flawless, and I have been clean in Your eyes.’
5 But if only Eloah would speak, and open His lips against you,
6 and show you the secrets of wisdom, doubling your ability. Know then that Eloah forgets some of your crookedness for you.
7 Would you find out Eloah by searching, or search out the end of the Almighty?
8 It is higher than the heavens – what would you do? Deeper than the grave – what would you know?
9 Their measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 If He passes through and shuts up, and gathers, then who does reverse it?
11 For He knows false men. When He sees wickedness does He not consider it?
12 But a senseless man takes heart when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man!
13 If you would prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward Him;
14 if wickedness were in your hand, put it far away and do not let perverseness dwell in your tents;
15 then indeed you shall lift up your face without spot; and you shall stand firm, and not be afraid,
16 because you would forget sorrow, and remember it as waters that have passed away,
17 and your life would be brighter than noon. You would soar upward, you would be like the morning.
18 And you shall trust, because there is expectancy. And when you have searched you shall lie down in safety.
19 And you shall rest, and no one would make you afraid, and many shall seek your favour.
20 But the eyes of the wrong are consumed, and they shall not escape, and their expectancy is the breathing out of life!”