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 boastings 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 sayest, 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 show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. 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 high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than Sheol; 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 pass through, and shut up, And all unto judgment, 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 false men: He seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.

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

12 B ut vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born as 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 set thy heart aright, And stretch out thy hands toward him;

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

14 I f iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, And let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents.

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

15 S urely 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 F or thou shalt forget thy misery; Thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away,

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

17 A nd thy life shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there be darkness, it shall 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 search about thee, and 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 have no way to flee; And their hope shall be 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.