Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2 “Should not the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should 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?

Should your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

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

For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.

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

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

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.

And that he would show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

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

Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty unto perfection?

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

It is as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

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

If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

11 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he does not consider it.

For he knows vain men: he sees wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

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

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

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

If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward him;

14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.

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

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

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

Because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

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

And your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you shall be as the morning.

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

And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yea, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.

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

Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto you.

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 fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the spirit.