1 Zophar from Naamah* said:

2 So much foolish talk

cannot go unanswered.

3 Your words have silenced others

and made them ashamed;

now it is only right for you

to be put to shame.

4 You claim to be innocent

and argue that your beliefs

are acceptable to God.

5 But I wish God would speak

6 and let you know that wisdom

has many different sides.

You would then discover

that God has punished you

less than you deserve.

7 Can you understand the mysteries

surrounding God All-Powerful?

8 They are higher than the heavens

and deeper than the grave.

So what can you do

when you know so little,

9 and these mysteries outreach

the earth and the ocean?

10 If God puts you in prison

or drags you to court,

what can you do?

11 God has the wisdom to know

when someone is worthless

and sinful,

12 but it's easier to tame

a wild donkey

than to make a fool wise.*

13 Surrender your heart to God,

turn to him in prayer,

14 and give up your sins—

even those you do in secret.

15 Then you won't be ashamed;

you will be confident

and fearless.

16 Your troubles will go away

like water beneath a bridge,

17 and your darkest night

will be brighter than noon.

18 You will rest safe and secure,

filled with hope

and emptied of worry.

19 You will sleep without fear

and be greatly respected.

20 But those who are evil

will go blind and lose their way.

Their only escape is death!