1 But Sophar the Naamathite answering, said:
1 Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:
2 Why, shall he that speaketh many things, not hear also? Or shall a man full of words be justified?
2 Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? Or shall a man full of talk be justified?
3 To thee only shall men hold their peace? & when thou hast mocked others, shalt thou be confuted of none?
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.
4 For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.
5 And I would wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee.
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 thou art exacted much lesser things of him than thy iniquity deserveth.
6 That he might show 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 Omnipotent perfectly?
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? Deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know?
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, & broader than the sea.
9 The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 If he shall overthrow all things, or shall straiten them into one, who shall say against him?
10 If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?
11 For he knoweth the vanity of men, & seeing iniquity doth he not consider?
11 For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it?
12 Avain man is extolled into pride, & thinketh himself born free as a wild ass's colt.
12 A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass’s colt.
13 But thou hast confirmed thy heart, & hast spread thy hands to him.
13 But thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.
14 If thou shalt take away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, & injustice remain not in thy tabernacle:
14 If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and let not injustice remain in thy tabernacle:
15 Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, & thou shalt be stable, & shalt not fear.
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, & shalt remember it as waters that are passed.
16 Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away.
17 And the brightness as it were of noon days, shall arise to thee at evening: and when thou shalt think thyself consumed, thou shalt rise as the day star.
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, & buried thou shalt sleep secure.
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 terrify thee: and very many shall beseech thy face.
19 ¹Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face.
20 But the eyes of the impious shall decay, and escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul.
20 ²But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul.