1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? {full...: Heb. of lips}
3Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? {lies: or, devices}
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? {as high...: Heb. the heights of heaven}
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? {cut...: or, make a change} {hinder...: Heb. turn him away?}
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. {vain: Heb. empty}
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. {be clearer...: Heb. arise above}
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. {make suit...: Heb. intreat thy face}
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. {they shall...: Heb. flight shall perish from them} {the giving...: or, a puff of breath}