Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 The measure thereof [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

Longer in measure 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 goes on his way, shutting a man up and putting him to death, who may make him go back from his purpose?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And your life will be brighter than day; though it is dark, it will 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.

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

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

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

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