Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:

2 “Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified?

3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others, shall no man confute thee?

4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.

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

And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,

6 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.

That he might shew thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his law is manifold, and thou mightest understand that he exacteth much less of thee, than thy iniquity deserveth.

7 “Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?

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

He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

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

10 If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?

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

For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it?

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

A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass’s colt.

13 “If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands towards him.

Rut thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.

14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and lot not injustice remain in thy tabernacle:

15 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.

16 for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.

Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away.

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

And brightness like that of the noonday, shall arise to thee at evening: and when thou shalt think thyself consumed, thou shalt rise as the day star.

18 You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.

And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure.

19 Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favour.

Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face.

20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”

But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul.