Job 11
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, and said,
Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? And 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 Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mock, shall no man make thee ashamed?
Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
4 For thou say, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean 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 and that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacts of thee less than thine iniquity deserves.
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 Can thou find out God by searching? Can thou find out the Almighty to perfection?
“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? (Sheol h7585)
9 The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 If he passes through, and shuts up, and all to judgment, then who can hinder him?
If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
11 For he knows false men. He also sees iniquity. Will he not then consider it?
For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
12 But vain man is void of understanding. Yea, man is born as a wild donkey's colt.
An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
13 If thou set thy heart aright, and stretch out thy hands toward him,
“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands towards him.
14 if iniquity is in thy hand, put it far away, and let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents.
If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
15 Surely then thou shall lift up thy face without spot. Yea, thou shall be steadfast, and shall not fear.
Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,
16 For thou shall forget thy misery. Thou shall remember it as waters that are passed away.
for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
17 And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.
Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
18 And thou shall be secure, because there is hope. Yea, thou shall search about thee, and shall take thy rest in safety.
You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
19 Also thou shall lie down, and none shall make thee afraid. Yea, many shall correspond with thee.
Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favour.
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 spirit.
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.”
