Chapter text
World English Bible
Verse-by-verse text with stable anchors, canonical chapter URLs, and copyable verse links.
- 1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
- 2 “Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
- 3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
- 4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’
- 5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,
- 6 that 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?
- 8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?
- 9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
- 10 If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
- 11 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
- 12 An 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.
- 14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
- 15 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,
- 16 for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
- 17 Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
- 18 You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
- 19 Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.
- 20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”