| 1 ¶ Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
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| 2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full1 of talk be justified?
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| 3 Should thy lies2 make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
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| 4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
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| 5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
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| 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.
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| 7 ¶ Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
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| 8 It is as high3 as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
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| 9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
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| 10 If he cut4 off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder5 him?
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| 11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
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| 12 For vain6 man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
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| 13 ¶ If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
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| 14 If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
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| 15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
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| 16 Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
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| 17 And thine age shall be clearer7 than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
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| 18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
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| 19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit8 unto thee.
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| 20 But the eyes of the wicked shall9 fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving10 up of the ghost.
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