¹ 我想醫治以色列的時候，以法蓮的罪孽和撒瑪利亞的罪惡就顯露出來。他們行事虛謊，內有賊人入室偷竊，外有強盜成群騷擾。

² 他們心裡並不思想我記念他們的一切惡；他們所行的現在纏繞他們，都在我面前。

³ 他們行惡使君王歡喜，說謊使首領喜樂。

⁴ 他們都是行淫的，像火爐被烤餅的燒熱，從摶麵到發麵的時候，暫不使火著旺。

⁵ 在我們王宴樂的日子，首領因酒的烈性成病；王與褻慢人拉手。

⁶ 首領埋伏的時候，心中熱如火爐，就如烤餅的整夜睡臥，到了早晨火氣炎炎。

⁷ 眾民也熱如火爐，燒滅他們的官長。他們的君王都仆倒而死；他們中間無一人求告我。

⁸ 以法蓮與列邦人攙雜；以法蓮是沒有翻過的餅。

⁹ 外邦人吞吃他勞力得來的，他卻不知道；頭髮斑白，他也不覺得。

¹⁰ 以色列的驕傲當面見證自己，雖遭遇這一切，他們仍不歸向耶和華─他們的神，也不尋求他。

¹¹ 以法蓮好像鴿子愚蠢無知；他們求告埃及，投奔亞述。

¹² 他們去的時候，我必將我的網撒在他們身上；我要打下他們，如同空中的鳥。我必按他們會眾所聽見的懲罰他們。

¹³ 他們因離棄我，必定有禍；因違背我，必被毀滅。我雖要救贖他們，他們卻向我說謊。

¹⁴ 他們並不誠心哀求我，乃在床上呼號；他們為求五穀新酒聚集，仍然悖逆我。

¹⁵ 我雖教導他們，堅固他們的膀臂，他們竟圖謀抗拒我。

¹⁶ 他們歸向，卻不歸向至上者；他們如同翻背的弓。他們的首領必因舌頭的狂傲倒在刀下；這在埃及地必作人的譏笑。

¹ Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

² "Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

³ Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

⁴ For you say, 'My doctrine is pure. 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 true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

⁷ "Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

⁸ They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?

⁹ Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

¹⁰ If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

¹¹ For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn't consider it.

¹² An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

¹³ "If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.

¹⁴ If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don't let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

¹⁵ Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

¹⁶ for you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it as waters that are passed away.

¹⁷ Life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning.

¹⁸ You shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.

¹⁹ Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. Yes, many shall court your favor.

²⁰ But the eyes of the wicked shall fail. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit."