|
[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 accounted right?
[3]Thy boastings have made men hold their peace, and thou hast mocked, with none to make thee ashamed;
[4]And 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 tell thee the secrets of wisdom, that sound wisdom is manifold! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
[7]Canst thou find out the deep things of God? Canst thou attain unto the purpose of the Almighty?
[8]It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than the nether-world; what canst thou know?
[9]The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
[10]If He pass by, and shut up, or gather in, then who can hinder Him?
[11]For He knoweth base men; and when He seeth iniquity, will He not then consider it?
[12]But an empty man will get understanding, when a wild ass's colt is born a man.
[13]If thou set thy heart aright, and stretch out thy hands toward Him—
[14]If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, and let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents—
[15]Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear;
[16]For thou shalt forget thy misery; thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away;
[17]And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday; though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.
[18]And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt look about thee, and 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.
[20]But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall have no way to flee, and their hope shall be the drooping of the soul.
|