Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

2 “Should not the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be accounted right?

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

Thy boastings have made men hold their peace, and thou hast mocked, with none to make thee ashamed;

4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

And thou hast said: 'My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in Thine eyes.'

5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,

But oh that God would speak, and open His lips against thee;

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.

And that He would tell thee the secrets of wisdom, that sound wisdom is manifold! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

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

Canst thou find out the deep things of God? Canst thou attain unto the purpose of the Almighty?

8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol (Sheol h7585). What can you know?

It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than the nether-world; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

The measure thereof 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?

If He pass by, and shut up, or gather in, then who can hinder Him?

11 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he does not consider it.

For He knoweth base men; and when He seeth iniquity, will He not then consider it?

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

But an empty man will get understanding, when a wild ass's colt is born a man.

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

If thou set thy heart aright, and stretch out thy hands toward Him —

14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, and let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents —

15 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear;

16 for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.

For thou shalt forget thy misery; thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away;

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

And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday; though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.

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

And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt look about thee, and shalt take thy rest in safety.

19 Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

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

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall have no way to flee, and their hope shall be the drooping of the soul.