Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and 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 thy falsehoods make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

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

4 For thou hast said, My doctrine [is] pure, and I am clean in thy 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 thee;

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

6 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].

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 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?

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

8 [It is] as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

9 The measure of it [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 shall cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

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

11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider [it]?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16 Because thou shalt forget [thy] misery, [and] remember [it] as waters [that] pass away:

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

17 And [thy] age shall be clearer than the noon-day: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

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

18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yes, thou shalt dig [about thee], [and] thou shalt take thy 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 thou shalt lie down, and none shall make [thee] afraid; yes, many shall make suit to thee.

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 shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the expiration of the breath.

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.