Job 11
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:
Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,
2 Shall not the multitude of words receive an answer? Shall the man of words be justified?
“Should not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?
3 Shall thy boastings make men hold their peace? Shalt thou mock, and none put thee to shame?
Should your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?
4 Thou sayest, My speech is pure; I am clean in thine eyes, [[O God!]]
For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'
5 But O that God would speak, And open his lips against thee;
But, oh, that God would speak and open his lips against you;
6 That he would show thee the secrets of his wisdom, —His wisdom, which is unsearchable! Then shouldst thou know that God forgiveth thee many of thine iniquities.
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 search out the deep things of God? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?
Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?
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 apprehend, and bind, and bring to trial, Who shall oppose him?
If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?
11 For he knoweth the unrighteous; He seeth iniquity, when they do not observe it.
For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?
12 But vain man is without understanding; Yea, man is born 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 direct thy heart, And stretch out thy hands, toward him;
But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;
14 If thou put away iniquity from thy hand, And let not wickedness dwell in thy habitation, —
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 Then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; Yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and have no fear.
Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.
16 For thou shalt forget thy misery, Or remember it as waters that have passed away.
You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.
17 Thy life shall be brighter than the noon-day; Now thou art in darkness, thou shalt then be as morning.
Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.
18 Thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; Now thou art disappointed, thou shalt then 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 Thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; And 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 be wearied out; They shall find no refuge; Their hope is—the breathing forth of life.
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.”
