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 your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?
4 For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.
5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you;
6 And that he would show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
7 Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty to perfection?
8 It is as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you 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 knows vain men: he sees wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
12 For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass' colt.
13 If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward him;
14 If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.
15 For then shall you lift up your face without spot; yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:
16 Because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
17 And your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you shall be as the morning.
18 And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yes, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.
19 Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yes, many shall make suit to you.
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.
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man giving lip be justified?
3 Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one make you ashamed?
4 For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in Your eyes.
5 But oh that God would speak, and open His lips against you,
6 that He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your wisdom. Know therefore that God forgets some of your iniquity.
7 Can you search and find out God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?
8 They are higher than the heavens; what can you do? Deeper than Sheol; what can you know?
9 Their measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.
10 If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers together, then who can repulse Him?
11 For He knows the vanity of men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?
12 For an empty-headed man will be wise, when a wild asss colt is born a man.
13 If you have prepared your heart, and spread out your hands toward Him;
14 if iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tents.
15 Then surely you shall lift up your face without blemish; yea, you shall be steadfast, and not fear;
16 because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that have passed away,
17 and your lifetime shall arise more than the brightness of the noonday. Though you were dark, you shall be like the morning.
18 And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yea, you shall dig around you, and rest in safety.
19 You shall also lie down, and no one shall cause you to tremble; yea, many shall entreat your favor.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and their place of escape shall perish; and their hope, as the expiring of the soul!