^{1 Ref} Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

^{2 Ref} Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?

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

^{4 Ref} For thou sayest, My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in thine eyes.

^{5 Ref} But oh that God would speak, And open his lips against thee,

^{6 Ref} 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 Ref} Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

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

^{9 Ref} The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea.

^{10 Ref} If he pass through, and shut up, And all unto judgment, then who can hinder him?

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

^{12 Ref} But vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born `as' a wild ass's colt.

^{13 Ref} If thou set thy heart aright, And stretch out thy hands toward him;

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

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

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

^{17 Ref} And `thy' life shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.

^{18 Ref} And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; Yea, thou shalt search `about thee', and shalt take thy rest in safety.

^{19 Ref} Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; Yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

^{20 Ref} 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.

^{1 Ref} And Zophar the Naamathite answereth and saith: --

^{2 Ref} Is a multitude of words not answered? And is a man of lips justified?

^{3 Ref} Thy devices make men keep silent, Thou scornest, and none is causing blushing!

^{4 Ref} And thou sayest, `Pure `is' my discourse, And clean I have been in Thine eyes.'

^{5 Ref} And yet, O that God had spoken! And doth open His lips with thee.

^{6 Ref} And declare to thee secrets of wisdom, For counsel hath foldings. And know thou that God forgetteth for thee, `Some' of thine iniquity.

^{7 Ref} By searching dost thou find out God? Unto perfection find out the Mighty One?

^{8 Ref} Heights of the heavens! -- what dost thou? Deeper than Sheol! -- what knowest thou?

^{9 Ref} Longer than earth `is' its measure, And broader than the sea.

^{10 Ref} If He pass on, and shut up, and assemble, Who then dost reverse it?

^{11 Ref} For he hath known men of vanity, And He seeth iniquity, And one doth not consider `it'!

^{12 Ref} And empty man is bold, And the colt of a wild ass man is born.

^{13 Ref} If thou -- thou hast prepared thy heart, And hast spread out unto Him thy hands,

^{14 Ref} If iniquity `is' in thy hand, put it far off, And let not perverseness dwell in thy tents.

^{15 Ref} For then thou liftest up thy face from blemish, And thou hast been firm, and fearest not.

^{16 Ref} For thou dost forget misery, As waters passed away thou rememberest.

^{17 Ref} And above the noon doth age rise, Thou fliest -- as the morning thou art.

^{18 Ref} And thou hast trusted because their is hope, And searched -- in confidence thou liest down,

^{19 Ref} And thou hast rested, And none is causing trembling, And many have entreated thy face;

^{20 Ref} And the eyes of the wicked are consumed, And refuge hath perished from them, And their hope `is' a breathing out of soul!