Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

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

“Should not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?

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

Should your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?

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

For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'

5 But oh that Eloah would speak, and open his lips against thee;

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

6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that Eloah exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

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 Canst thou by searching find out Eloah? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?

8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? (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 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

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

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

If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?

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

For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?

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

But foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.

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

But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;

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

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 shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.

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

You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.

17 And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.

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

You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.

19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek your favor.

20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

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.”