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 justified?

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

Should your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

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

For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.

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

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

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 show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

7 Can you find out the mysteries of God? Can you discover all the wisdom of the Almighty?

Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty unto perfection?

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

It is as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you 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 cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

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

For he knows vain men: he sees wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

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

For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.

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

If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward him;

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

If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.

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

For then shall you lift up your face without spot; yea, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

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

Because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

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

And your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you shall be as the morning.

18 You will have confidence because there is hope; you will be protected and rest in safety.

And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yea, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your 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 you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto you.

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 not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the spirit.