Job 11

1 Then responded Zophar the Naamathite, and said: —

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

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

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

3 Shall, thy pratings, cause men to hold their peace? When thou hast mocked, shall there be none to put thee to shame?

Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

4 Since thou hast said, Right is my doctrine, and pure am I in his eyes.

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

5 But, in very deed, oh that GOD would speak, that he would open his lips with thee:

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

6 That he would declare to thee the secrets of wisdom, for they are double to that which actually is, —Know then that GOD could bring into forgetfulness for thee, a portion of thine iniquity.

that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

7 The hidden depth of GOD canst thou discover? Or, unto the furthest limit of the Almighty, canst thou attain?

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

8 The heights of the heavens, what canst thou do? Depths deeper than hades, what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Longer than the earth, is the measure thereof, and broader than the sea.

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

10 If he sweep on, or shut up, or call together, Who then shall hinder him?

If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

11 For, he, knoweth men of falsity, and seeth iniquity, and him that doth not diligently consider.

For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

12 But, an empty person, will get sense, when, a wild ass’s colt, is born a man!

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

13 If, thou, hast prepared thy heart, and wilt spread forth, unto him, thy hands—

“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands towards him.

14 If, iniquity, be in thy hand, Put it far away, and let there not dwell in thy tents perversity,

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

15 Surely, then, shalt thou lift up thy face free from blemish, and shalt be established, and not fear.

Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

16 For, now, shalt thou forget, sorrow, Like waters passed away, shalt thou remember it.

for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.

17 Above high noon, shall rise life’s continuance, Darkness, like a morning, shall appear,

Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.

18 And thou shalt he confident, that there is hope, and, when thou hast searched, securely shalt thou lie down;

You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.

19 And shalt rest, with none to put thee in terror, —and many shall entreat thy favour.

Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favour.

20 But, the eyes of the lawless, shall fail, —and, place of refuge, shall have vanished from them, and, their hope, be a breathing out of life.

But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”