Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and sayde,

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

2 Should not the multitude of wordes be answered? or should a great talker be iustified?

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

3 Should men holde their peace at thy lyes? and when thou mockest others, shall none make thee ashamed?

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

4 For thou hast sayde, My doctrine is pure, and I am cleane in thine eyes.

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

5 But, oh that God would speake and open his lippes against thee!

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

6 That he might shewe thee the secretes of wisedome, howe thou hast deserued double, according to right: know therefore that God hath forgotten thee for thine iniquitie.

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 Canst thou by searching finde out God? canst thou finde out ye Almighty to his perfection?

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

8 The heauens are hie, what canst thou doe? it is deeper then the hell, how canst thou know it? (Sheol h7585)

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

9 The measure thereof is longer then the earth, and it is broader then the sea.

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

10 If hee cut off and shut vp, or gather together, who can turne him backe?

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

11 For hee knoweth vaine men, and seeth iniquitie, and him that vnderstandeth nothing.

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

12 Yet vaine man would be wise, though man new borne is like a wilde asse colte.

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

13 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him:

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

14 If iniquitie be in thine hand, put it farre away, and let no wickednesse dwell in thy Tabernacle.

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

15 The truely shalt thou lift vp thy face without spot, and shalt be stable, and shalt not feare.

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

16 But thou shalt forget thy miserie, and remember it as waters that are past.

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

17 Thine age also shall appeare more cleare then the noone day: thou shalt shine and bee as the morning.

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

18 And thou shalt bee bolde, because there is hope: and thou shalt digge pittes, and shalt lye downe safely.

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

19 For when thou takest thy rest, none shall make thee afraide: yea, many shall make sute vnto thee.

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

20 But the eyes of the wicked shall faile, and their refuge shall perish, and their hope shalbe sorow of minde.

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.”