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?* full…: Heb. of lips 3  Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?† lies: or, devices 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?‡ as high…: Heb. the heights of heaven 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?§ cut…: or, make a change** hinder…: Heb. turn him away? 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.†† vain: Heb. empty

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.‡‡ be clearer…: Heb. arise above 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.§§ make suit…: Heb. intreat thy face 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.*** they shall…: Heb. flight shall perish from them††† the giving…: or, a puff of breath