| 1 | Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, |
| 2 | Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? |
| 3 | Should thy falsehoods make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? |
| 4 | For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thy eyes. |
| 5 | But Oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; |
| 6 | And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thy iniquity deserveth. |
| 7 | Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection? |
| 8 | It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? |
| 9 | The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. |
| 10 | If he shall cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? |
| 11 | For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? |
| 12 | For vain man would be wise, though man is born like a wild ass's colt. |
| 13 | If thou preparest thy heart, and stretchest out thy hands towards him; |
| 14 | If iniquity is in thy hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. |
| 15 | For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yes, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear: |
| 16 | Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: |
| 17 | And thy age shall be clearer than the noon-day: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. |
| 18 | And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yes, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. |
| 19 | Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yes, many shall make suit to thee. |
| 20 | But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the expiration of the breath. |