1 T hen answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2 S hould not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

3 S hould thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

4 F or thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

5 B ut oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

6 a nd 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.

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 C anst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

8 I t is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

9 T he measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10 I f he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

11 F or he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

12 F or vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.

For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.

13 I f thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;

If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;

14 i f iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

15 F or then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

16 b ecause thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

17 a nd thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

18 A nd thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

19 A lso thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

20 B ut the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

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.