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

4For thou sayest, 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 show thee the secrets of wisdom!
For he is manifold in understanding.
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?

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

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

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

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

12But vain man is void of understanding,
Yea, man is born as a wild ass’s colt.

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

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

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

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

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

18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope;
Yea, thou shalt search about thee, and 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 have no way to flee;
And their hope shall be the giving up of the ghost.