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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 But 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 let 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.