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 thy falsehoods make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

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

For thou hast said, My doctrine [is] pure, and I am clean in thy 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 show thee the secrets of wisdom, that [they are] double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee [less] than thy iniquity [deserveth].

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

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to 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 canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

The measure of it [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 shall 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 knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider [it]?

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

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

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

If thou preparest thy heart, and stretchest out thy hands towards him;

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

If iniquity [is] in thy hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

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

For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yes, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear:

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

Because thou shalt forget [thy] 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 [thy] age shall be clearer than the noon-day: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt 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; yes, thou shalt dig [about thee], [and] thou 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; yes, many shall make suit to 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 not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the expiration of the breath.