Job 11

1 But Zophar the Naamathite, responding, said:

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

2 Will he who speaks much, not also listen? Or will a talkative man be justified?

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

3 Will men be silent only for you? And when you have mocked others, will no one refute you?

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

4 For you said: “My word is pure, and I am clean in your sight.”

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

5 Yet I wish that God would speak with you, and would open his lips to you,

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

6 so that he might reveal to you the secrets of wisdom, and how intricate his law is, and that you would understand how much less he requires of you than your iniquity deserves.

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.

7 By chance, will you comprehend the footsteps of God and reach all the way to the perfection of the Almighty?

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

8 He is higher than heaven, and what will you do? He is deeper than hell, but how will you know? (Sheol h7585)

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

9 His measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

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

10 If he overturns all things, or packs them together, who will contradict him?

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

11 For he knows the vanity of men, and when he sees iniquity, does he not evaluate it?

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

12 A vain man is lifted up in arrogance, and he thinks that he is born free like a wild ass’s colt.

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

13 But you have fortified your heart and extended your hands to him.

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

14 If you would send away from you the iniquity that is in your hand, and not let injustice remain in your tabernacle,

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

15 then you would be able to lift up your face without blemish, and you would be steadfast and unafraid.

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

16 Misery, likewise, you would forget, or would remember only like waters that have passed by.

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

17 And brightness, like that of midday, will rise upon you until evening, and when you would think yourself consumed, you will rise up like the morning star.

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

18 And, when hope has been set before you, you will have faith, and, when buried, you will sleep secure.

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

19 You will rest, and there will be nothing to make you afraid, and many will make requests before your face.

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

20 But the eyes of the impious will fade away, and the path to escape will perish before them, for the abomination of the soul is their hope.

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.”