² “Should a multitude of words go unanswered,
    and a man full of talk be judged right?
³ Should your babble silence men,
    and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
⁴ For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,
    and I am clean in God's^[a] eyes.’
⁵ But oh, that God would speak
    and open his lips to you,
⁶ and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
    For he is manifold in understanding.^[b]
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?
⁸ It is higher than heaven^[c]—what can you do?
    Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
⁹ Its measure is longer than the earth
    and broader than the sea.
¹⁰ If he passes through and imprisons
    and summons the court, who can turn him back?
¹¹ For he knows worthless men;
    when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
¹² But a stupid man will get understanding
    when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!

¹³ “If you prepare your heart,
    you will stretch out your hands toward him.
¹⁴ If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
    and let not injustice dwell in your tents.
¹⁵ Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
    you will be secure and will not fear.
¹⁶ You will forget your misery;
    you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
¹⁷ And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
    its darkness will be like the morning.
¹⁸ And you will feel secure, because there is hope;
    you will look around and take your rest in security.
¹⁹ You will lie down, and none will make you afraid;
    many will court your favor.
²⁰ But the eyes of the wicked will fail;
    all way of escape will be lost to them,
    and their hope is to breathe their last.”