Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2 Are all these words to go unanswered? and is a man seen to be right because he is full of talk?

Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

3 Are your words of pride to make men keep quiet? and are you to make sport, with no one to put you to shame?

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

4 You may say, My way is clean, and I am free from sin in your eyes.

For thou hast said, My doctrine [is] pure, and I am clean in thy eyes.

5 But if only God would take up the word, opening his lips in argument with you;

But Oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

6 And would make clear to you the secrets of wisdom, and the wonders of his purpose!

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 Are you able to take God's measure, to make discovery of the limits of the Ruler of all?

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

8 They are higher than heaven; what is there for you to do? deeper than the underworld, and outside your knowledge; (Sheol h7585)

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

9 Longer in measure than the earth, and wider than the sea.

The measure of it [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10 If he goes on his way, shutting a man up and putting him to death, who may make him go back from his purpose?

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

11 For in his eyes men are as nothing; he sees evil and takes note of it.

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

12 And so a hollow-minded man will get wisdom, when a young ass of the field gets teaching.

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

13 But if you put your heart right, stretching out your hands to him;

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

14 If you put far away the evil of your hands, and let no wrongdoing have a place in your tent;

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

15 Then truly your face will be lifted up, with no mark of sin, and you will be fixed in your place without fear:

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

16 For your sorrow will go from your memory, like waters flowing away:

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

17 And your life will be brighter than day; though it is dark, it will become like the morning.

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

18 And you will be safe because there is hope; after looking round, you will take your rest in quiet;

And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yes, thou shalt dig [about thee], [and] thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

19 Sleeping with no fear of danger; and men will be desiring to have grace in your eyes;

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make [thee] afraid; yes, many shall make suit to thee.

20 But the eyes of the evil-doers will be wasting away; their way of flight is gone, and their only hope is the taking of their last breath.

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