1 T hen 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?

3 S hould 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.

5 B ut 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.

7 C anst 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?

9 T he 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?

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

12 F or 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;

14 I f 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:

16 B ecause 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.

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.

19 A lso 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.