11Then Zophar the Naamathite answered: 2“Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and should one full of talk be vindicated? 3Should your babble put others to silence, and when you mock, shall no one shame you? 4For you say, ‘My conduct is pure, and I am clean in God’s sight.’ 5But oh, that God would speak, and open his lips to you, 6and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For wisdom is many-sided. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.
7“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? 8It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? 9Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. 10If he passes through, and imprisons, and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him? 11For he knows those who are worthless; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? 12But a stupid person will get understanding, when a wild ass is born human.
13“If you direct your heart rightly, you will stretch out your hands toward him. 14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness reside in your tents. 15Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear. 16You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. 17And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. 18And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety. 19You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid; many will entreat your favor. 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.”
12Then Job answered: 2“No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you. 3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these? 4I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called upon God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, I am a laughingstock. 5Those at ease have contempt for misfortune, but it is ready for those whose feet are unstable.
6The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hands. 7“But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 8ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. 9Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? 10In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being. 11Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?
12Is wisdom with the aged, and understanding in length of days? 13“With God are wisdom and strength; he has counsel and understanding. 14If he tears down, no one can rebuild; if he shuts someone in, no one can open up. 15If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land. 16With him are strength and wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his. 17He leads counselors away stripped, and makes fools of judges. 18He looses the sash of kings, and binds a waistcloth on their loins. 19He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty. 20He deprives of speech those who are trusted, and takes away the discernment of the elders. 21He pours contempt on princes, and looses the belt of the strong. 22He uncovers the deeps out of darkness, and brings deep darkness to light. 23He makes nations great, then destroys them; he enlarges nations, then leads them away. 24He strips understanding from the leaders of the earth, and makes them wander in a pathless waste. 25They grope in the dark without light; he makes them stagger like a drunkard.
From the oremus Bible Browser https://bible.oremus.org v2.9.2 30 June 2021.