< Job 11 >

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
And Zophar the Naamathite answers and says:
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
“Is a multitude of words not answered? And is a man of lips justified?
3 Should your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?
Your boastings make men keep silent, You scorn, and none is causing blushing!
4 For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.
And you say, My discourse [is] pure, And I have been clean in Your eyes.
5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you;
And yet, O that God had spoken! And opens His lips with you.
6 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.
And declares to you secrets of wisdom, for counsel has foldings. And know that God forgets of your iniquity for you.
7 Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty unto perfection?
Do you find out God by searching? To perfection find out the Mighty One?
8 It is as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)
Heights of the heavens—what [can] you do? 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 earth, and broader than the sea.
10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
If He passes on, and shuts up, and assembles, Who then reverses it?
11 For he knows vain men: he sees wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
For He has known men of vanity, And He sees iniquity, And one does not consider [it]!
12 For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
And empty man is bold, And man is born [as] the colt of a wild donkey.
13 If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward him;
If you have prepared your heart, And have spread out your hands to Him,
14 If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.
If iniquity [is] in your hand, put it far off, And do not let perverseness dwell in your tents.
15 For then shall you lift up your face without spot; yea, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:
For then you lift up your face from blemish, And you have been firm, and do not fear.
16 Because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
For you forget misery, As waters passed away you remember.
17 And your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you shall be as the morning.
And age rises above the noon, You fly—you are as the morning.
18 And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yea, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.
And you have trusted because there is hope, And searched—in confidence you lie down,
19 Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto you.
And you have rested, And none is causing trembling, And many have begged [at] your face;
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 spirit.
And the eyes of the wicked are consumed, And refuge has perished from them, And their hope [is] a breathing out of soul!”

< Job 11 >