1 - Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2 - Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?

3 - Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

4 - For thou sayest, My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in thine eyes.

5 - But oh that God would speak, And open his lips against thee,

6 - And 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.

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

8 - It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than Sheol; what canst thou know?

9 - The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea.

10 - If he pass through, and shut up, And all unto judgment, then who can hinder him?

11 - For he knoweth false men: He seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.

12 - But vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born [as] a wild ass's colt.

13 - If thou set thy heart aright, And stretch out thy hands toward him;

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

15 - Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; Yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

16 - For thou shalt forget thy misery; Thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away,

17 - And [thy] life shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.

18 - And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; Yea, thou shalt search [about thee], and shalt take thy rest in safety.

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

20 - But 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.