1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?3Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?4For thou hast said, My doctrine [is] pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.5But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

6And 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].7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?8[It is] as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?9The measure thereof [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.10If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

11For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider [it]?12For vain man would be wise, though man be born [like] a wild ass's colt.13If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;14If iniquity [be] in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.15For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

16Because thou shalt forget [thy] misery, [and] remember [it] as waters [that] pass away:17And [thine] age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig [about thee, and] thou shalt take thy rest in safety.19Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make [thee] afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.20But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the giving up of the ghost.