1: Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said, 2: Are all these words to go unanswered? and is a man seen to be right because he is full of talk? 3: Are your words of pride to make men keep quiet? and are you to make sport, with no one to put you to shame? 4: You may say, My way is clean, and I am free from sin in your eyes. 5: But if only God would take up the word, opening his lips in argument with you; 6: And would make clear to you the secrets of wisdom, and the wonders of his purpose! 7: Are you able to take God's measure, to make discovery of the limits of the Ruler of all? 8: They are higher than heaven; what is there for you to do? deeper than the underworld, and outside your knowledge; 9: Longer in measure than the earth, and wider than the sea. 10: If he goes on his way, shutting a man up and putting him to death, who may make him go back from his purpose? 11: For in his eyes men are as nothing; he sees evil and takes note of it. 12: And so a hollow-minded man will get wisdom, when a young ass of the field gets teaching. 13: But if you put your heart right, stretching out your hands to him; 14: If you put far away the evil of your hands, and let no wrongdoing have a place in your tent; 15: Then truly your face will be lifted up, with no mark of sin, and you will be fixed in your place without fear: 16: For your sorrow will go from your memory, like waters flowing away: 17: And your life will be brighter than day; though it is dark, it will become like the morning. 18: And you will be safe because there is hope; after looking round, you will take your rest in quiet; 19: Sleeping with no fear of danger; and men will be desiring to have grace in your eyes; 20: But the eyes of the evil-doers will be wasting away; their way of flight is gone, and their only hope is the taking of their last breath.
