Job 11
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
Then Zophar the Naamathite began speaking and said,
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
“So many words be answered, shouldn't they? Or is a person proved right by doing a lot of talking?
3 Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
Should all your babbling force people to keep quiet? When you mock, shouldn't someone make you feel ashamed?
4 For thou sayest, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
You said, ‘What I teach is the pure truth,’ and ‘in God's eyes I am clean.’
5 But Oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
If only God would speak up and tell you directly,
6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that is manifold in effectual working! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
because then he would explain to you the secrets of wisdom. True wisdom has many sides to it. God's treatment of you is far better than your guilt deserves.
7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
Can you find out the mysteries of God? Can you discover all the wisdom of the Almighty?
It is greater than the heavens—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.
It extends farther than the earth, and wider than the sea.
10 If he pass through, and shut up, and call unto judgment, then who can hinder him?
If God comes and imprisons someone, or assembles the court for judgment, who can stop him?
11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.
For God knows who are deceivers—when he sees someone sin, he pays attention to it.
12 But vain man is void of understanding, yea, man is born as a wild ass’s colt.
Stupid people will become wise when wild donkeys are born tame!
13 If thou set thine heart aright, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
But if you repent and spread out your hands to pray to him,
14 If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents;
if you get rid of your sins and don't let wickedness continue in your life,
15 Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
then you would be able to hold your head high in innocence, you will be firm and unafraid.
16 For thou shalt forget thy misery; thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away:
You will forget your misery, remembering it only as water under the bridge.
17 And [thy] life shall be clearer than the noonday; though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.
Your life will shine brighter than the noonday sun; even darkness will be like the morning.
18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt search [about thee], and shalt take thy rest in safety.
You will have confidence because there is hope; you will be protected and rest in safety.
19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
You will lie down to sleep with no one to frighten you, and many will come asking for your favor.
20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall have no way to flee, and their hope shall be the giving up of the ghost.
But the eyes of the wicked will fail, they will not be able to escape, and their only hope is in death.”
