Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

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

“Should not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?

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

Should your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?

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

For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'

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

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

6 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.

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

Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?

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

The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Its measure 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 passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?

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

For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?

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

But foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.

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

But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;

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

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 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not 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 you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.

You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.

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

Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.

18 You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your 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 Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favour.

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

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.”