1 A nd Zophar the Naamathite answereth and saith: --

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2 I s a multitude of words not answered? And is a man of lips justified?

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

3 T hy devices make men keep silent, Thou scornest, and none is causing blushing!

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

4 A nd thou sayest, `Pure my discourse, And clean I have been in Thine eyes.'

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

5 A nd yet, O that God had spoken! And doth open His lips with thee.

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

6 A nd declare to thee secrets of wisdom, For counsel hath foldings. And know thou that God forgetteth for thee, of thine iniquity.

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 B y searching dost thou find out God? Unto perfection find out the Mighty One?

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

8 H eights of the heavens! -- what dost thou? Deeper than Sheol! -- what knowest thou?

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

9 L onger than earth its measure, And broader than the sea.

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

10 I f He pass on, and shut up, and assemble, Who then dost reverse it?

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

11 F or he hath known men of vanity, And He seeth iniquity, And one doth not consider!

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

12 A nd empty man is bold, And the colt of a wild ass man is born.

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

13 I f thou -- thou hast prepared thy heart, And hast spread out unto Him thy hands,

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

14 I f iniquity in thy hand, put it far off, And let not perverseness dwell in thy tents.

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

15 F or then thou liftest up thy face from blemish, And thou hast been firm, and fearest not.

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

16 F or thou dost forget misery, As waters passed away thou rememberest.

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

17 A nd above the noon doth age rise, Thou fliest -- as the morning thou art.

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

18 A nd thou hast trusted because their is hope, And searched -- in confidence thou liest down,

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 nd thou hast rested, And none is causing trembling, And many have entreated thy face;

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

20 A nd the eyes of the wicked are consumed, And refuge hath perished from them, And their hope a breathing out of soul!

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.