| 1 | Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said: |
| 2 | Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified? |
| 3 | Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others, shall no man confute thee? |
| 4 | For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight. |
| 5 | And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee, |
| 6 | That he might shew thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his law is manifold, and thou mightest understand that he exacteth much less of thee, than thy iniquity deserveth. |
| 7 | Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly? |
| 8 | He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know? |
| 9 | The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. |
| 10 | If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him? |
| 11 | For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it? |
| 12 | A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass's colt. |
| 13 | Rut thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him. |
| 14 | If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and lot not injustice remain in thy tabernacle: |
| 15 | Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear. |
| 16 | Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away. |
| 17 | And brightness like that of the noonday, shall arise to thee at evening: and when thou shalt think thyself consumed, thou shalt rise as the day star. |
| 18 | And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure. |
| 19 | Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face. |
| 20 | But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul. |
