Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite began speaking and said,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

2 “So many words be answered, shouldn't they? Or is a person proved right by doing a lot of talking?

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

3 Should all your babbling force people to keep quiet? When you mock, shouldn't someone make you feel ashamed?

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

4 You said, ‘What I teach is the pure truth,’ and ‘in God's eyes I am clean.’

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

5 If only God would speak up and tell you directly,

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

6 because then he would explain to you the secrets of wisdom. True wisdom has many sides to it. God's treatment of you is far better than your guilt 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 find out the mysteries of God? Can you discover all the wisdom of the Almighty?

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

8 It is greater than the heavens—what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol—what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

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

9 It extends farther than the earth, and wider than the sea.

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10 If God comes and imprisons someone, or assembles the court for judgment, who can stop him?

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

11 For God knows who are deceivers—when he sees someone sin, he pays attention to it.

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

12 Stupid people will become wise when wild donkeys are born tame!

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

13 But if you repent and spread out your hands to pray to him,

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

14 if you get rid of your sins and don't let wickedness continue in your life,

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

15 then you would be able to hold your head high in innocence, you will be firm and unafraid.

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

16 You will forget your misery, remembering it only as water under the bridge.

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

17 Your life will shine brighter than the noonday sun; even darkness will be like the morning.

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

18 You will have confidence because there is hope; you will be protected and 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 You will lie down to sleep with no one to frighten you, and many will come asking for 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 not be able to escape, and their only hope is in death.”

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.