Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

But Zophar the Naamathite, responding, said:

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

Will he who speaks much, not also listen? Or will a talkative man be justified?

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

Will men be silent only for you? And when you have mocked others, will no one refute you?

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

For you said: “My word is pure, and I am clean in your sight.”

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

Yet I wish that God would speak with you, and would open his lips to you,

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

so that he might reveal to you the secrets of wisdom, and how intricate his law is, and that you would understand how much less he requires of you than your iniquity deserves.

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

By chance, will you comprehend the footsteps of God and reach all the way to the perfection of the Almighty?

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

He is higher than heaven, and what will you do? He is deeper than hell, but how will you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

His measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

10 If he shall cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

If he overturns all things, or packs them together, who will contradict him?

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

For he knows the vanity of men, and when he sees iniquity, does he not evaluate it?

12 For vain man would be wise, though man is born like a wild donkey’s colt.

A vain man is lifted up in arrogance, and he thinks that he is born free like a wild ass’s colt.

13 If thou preparest thy heart, and stretchest out thy hands toward him;

But you have fortified your heart and extended your hands to him.

14 If iniquity is in thy hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tents.

If you would send away from you the iniquity that is in your hand, and not let injustice remain in your tabernacle,

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

then you would be able to lift up your face without blemish, and you would be steadfast and unafraid.

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

Misery, likewise, you would forget, or would remember only like waters that have passed by.

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

And brightness, like that of midday, will rise upon you until evening, and when you would think yourself consumed, you will rise up like the morning star.

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, when hope has been set before you, you will have faith, and, when buried, you will sleep secure.

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

You will rest, and there will be nothing to make you afraid, and many will make requests before 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 ghost.

But the eyes of the impious will fade away, and the path to escape will perish before them, for the abomination of the soul is their hope.