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?