² “Should not the multitude of words be answered?
And should ^[a]a man full of talk be vindicated?
³ Should your empty talk make men ^[b]hold their peace?
And when you mock, should no one rebuke you?
⁴ For you have said,
^(A)‘My doctrine is pure,
And I am clean in your eyes.’
⁵ But oh, that God would speak,
And open His lips against you,
⁶ That He would show you the secrets of wisdom!
For they would double your prudence.
Know therefore that ^(B)God ^[c]exacts from you
Less than your iniquity deserves.

⁷ “Can^(C) you search out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?
⁸ They are higher than heaven—what can you do?
Deeper than ^[d]Sheol—what can you know?
⁹ Their measure is longer than the earth
And broader than the sea.

¹⁰ “If^(D) He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment,
Then who can ^[e]hinder Him?
¹¹ For ^(E)He knows deceitful men;
He sees wickedness also.
Will He not then consider it?
¹² For an ^(F)empty-headed man will be wise,
When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.

¹³ “If you would ^(G)prepare your heart,
And ^(H)stretch out your hands toward Him;
¹⁴ If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away,
And ^(I)would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;
^15 (J)Then surely you could lift up your face without spot;
Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;
¹⁶ Because you would ^(K)forget your misery,
And remember it as waters that have passed away,
¹⁷ And your life ^(L)would be brighter than noonday.
Though you were dark, you would be like the morning.
¹⁸ And you would be secure, because there is hope;
Yes, you would dig around you, and ^(M)take your rest in safety.
¹⁹ You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid;
Yes, many would court your favor.
²⁰ But ^(N)the eyes of the wicked will fail,
And they shall not escape,
And ^(O)their hope—^[f]loss of life!”