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 lies 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 thine eyes.
5: But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
6: And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
7: Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
8: It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
9: The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10: If he 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 be born like a wild ass's colt.
13: If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
14: If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
15: For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
16: Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
17: And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
18: And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, 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; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
20: But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.