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 lies make men hold their peace ? and when thou mockest , shall no man make thee ashamed ?
4 For thou hast said , 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 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 Canst 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 ?
9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth , and broader than the sea.
10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together , then who can hinder him?
11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also ; will he not then consider it?
12 For vain man would be wise , though man be born like a wild ass’s colt .
13 If thou prepare thine heart , and stretch out thine hands toward him;
14 If iniquity be in thine hand , put it far away , and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles .
15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot ; yea, thou shalt be stedfast , and shalt not fear :
16 Because thou shalt forget thy misery , and remember it as waters that pass away :
17 And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday ; thou shalt shine forth , thou shalt be as the morning .
18 And thou shalt be secure , because there is hope ; yea, thou shalt dig about thee , and thou 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 not escape , and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost .