| 1 | Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said, |
| 2 | Are all these words to go unanswered? and is a man seen to be right because he is full of talk? |
| 3 | Are your words of pride to make men keep quiet? and are you to make sport, with no one to put you to shame? |
| 4 | You may say, My way is clean, and I am free from sin in your eyes. |
| 5 | But if only God would take up the word, opening his lips in argument with you; |
| 6 | And would make clear to you the secrets of wisdom, and the wonders of his purpose! |
| 7 | Are you able to take God's measure, to make discovery of the limits of the Ruler of all? |
| 8 | They are higher than heaven; what is there for you to do? deeper than the underworld, and outside your knowledge; |
| 9 | Longer in measure than the earth, and wider than the sea. |
| 10 | If he goes on his way, shutting a man up and putting him to death, who may make him go back from his purpose? |
| 11 | For in his eyes men are as nothing; he sees evil and takes note of it. |
| 12 | And so a hollow-minded man will get wisdom, when a young ass of the field gets teaching. |
| 13 | But if you put your heart right, stretching out your hands to him; |
| 14 | If you put far away the evil of your hands, and let no wrongdoing have a place in your tent; |
| 15 | Then truly your face will be lifted up, with no mark of sin, and you will be fixed in your place without fear: |
| 16 | For your sorrow will go from your memory, like waters flowing away: |
| 17 | And your life will be brighter than day; though it is dark, it will become like the morning. |
| 18 | And you will be safe because there is hope; after looking round, you will take your rest in quiet; |
| 19 | Sleeping with no fear of danger; and men will be desiring to have grace in your eyes; |
| 20 | But the eyes of the evil-doers will be wasting away; their way of flight is gone, and their only hope is the taking of their last breath. |