< Job 11 >

1 And Zophar the Naamathite answereth and saith: —
Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,
2 Is a multitude of words not answered? And is a man of lips justified?
“Should not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?
3 Thy devices make men keep silent, Thou scornest, and none is causing blushing!
Should your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?
4 And thou sayest, 'Pure [is] my discourse, And clean I have been in Thine eyes.'
For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'
5 And yet, O that God had spoken! And doth open His lips with thee.
But, oh, that God would speak and open his lips against you;
6 And declare to thee secrets of wisdom, For counsel hath foldings. And know thou that God forgetteth for thee, [Some] of thine iniquity.
that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For he is great in understanding. Know then that God demands from you less than your iniquity deserves.
7 By searching dost thou find out God? Unto perfection find out the Mighty One?
Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?
8 Heights of the heavens! — what dost thou? Deeper than Sheol! — what knowest thou? (Sheol h7585)
The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)
9 Longer than earth [is] its measure, And broader than the sea.
Its measure is longer than the earth, and wider than the sea.
10 If He pass on, and shut up, and assemble, Who then dost reverse it?
If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?
11 For he hath known men of vanity, And He seeth iniquity, And one doth not consider [it]!
For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?
12 And empty man is bold, And the colt of a wild ass man is born.
But foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.
13 If thou — thou hast prepared thy heart, And hast spread out unto Him thy hands,
But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;
14 If iniquity [is] in thy hand, put it far off, And let not perverseness dwell in thy tents.
suppose that iniquity were in your hand, but that then you put it far away from you, and did not let unrighteousness live in your tents.
15 For then thou liftest up thy face from blemish, And thou hast been firm, and fearest not.
Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.
16 For thou dost forget misery, As waters passed away thou rememberest.
You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.
17 And above the noon doth age rise, Thou fliest — as the morning thou art.
Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.
18 And thou hast trusted because their is hope, And searched — in confidence thou liest down,
You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.
19 And thou hast rested, And none is causing trembling, And many have entreated thy face;
Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek your favor.
20 And the eyes of the wicked are consumed, And refuge hath perished from them, And their hope [is] a breathing out of soul!
But the eyes of wicked people will fail; they will have no way to flee; their only hope will be a last gasp of life.”

< Job 11 >