1 Then answered Zophar the Na'amathite, and said. 2 Shall a multitude of words not be answered? and is it so that a man full of talk shall be deemed in the right? 3 Thy inventions are to bring men to silence; and when thou utterest thy mocking no one is to cause thee to feel abashed! 4 For thou hast said [to God], My doctrine is pure, and I am become clean in thy eyes. 5 But oh that God would but speak, and open his lips against thee; 6 And that he would declare unto thee the secrets of wisdom; for it is double to that which is really in our possession: and thou wouldst experience that God overlooketh unto thee much of thy iniquity. 7 Canst thou find out the experience of God? or canst thou find [the way] unto the utmost limit of the Almighty? 8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou effect? it is deeper than the nether world; what canst thou know? 9 Longer than the earth is its measure, and broader than the sea. 10 If he pass by, and surrender [one to suffering], and call together an assembly, who can hinder him? 11 For he knoweth the men of vanity: he seeth the wrong-doer and him who considereth not; 12 And the heartless who acquireth intelligence, and him who is [like] the colt of the wild ass who is transformed into a man. 13 If thou truly direct [aright] thy heart, and spread out thy hands toward him: — 14 If wrong be in thy hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tents. 15 For then canst thou lift up thy face free from blemish: yea, thou wilt stand steadfast, and needest not to fear; 16 Because thou wilt truly forget thy trouble, and as a waterflood that is passed away wilt thou remember it; 17 And brighter than the noon of day will thy earthly existence arise; and thy obscurity will be like thy morning. 18 And thou wilt feel trust, because there is hope: yea, thou wilt search about carefully, and thou wilt lie down in safety. 19 Also thou wilt stretch thyself out [to rest], with none to make thee afraid; and many will entreat thy favor. 20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and the means of escape will vanish from them, and their [sole] hope shall be the breathing out of their soul.

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