Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite began speaking and said,

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

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

"Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? 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 boastings make men hold their peace? 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 say, 'My doctrine is pure. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Its measure 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 passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

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

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

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

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

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

"If you set your heart aright, 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 is in your hand, put it far away. Do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

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

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

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

for you shall forget your misery. You shall 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.

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

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

You shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and 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. Yes, many shall court your favor.

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. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit."