Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,

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

Are all these words to go unanswered? and is a man seen to be right because he is full of talk?

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

Are your words of pride to make men keep quiet? and are you to make sport, with no one to put you to shame?

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

You may say, My way is clean, and I am free from sin in your eyes.

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

But if only God would take up the word, opening his lips in argument with 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.

And would make clear to you the secrets of wisdom, and the wonders of his purpose!

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

Are you able to take God's measure, to make discovery of the limits of the Ruler of all?

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

They are higher than heaven; what is there for you to do? deeper than the underworld, and outside your knowledge; (Sheol h7585)

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

Longer in measure 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 goes on his way, shutting a man up and putting him to death, who may make him go back from his purpose?

11 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he does not consider it.

For in his eyes men are as nothing; he sees evil and takes note of it.

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

And so a hollow-minded man will get wisdom, when a young ass of the field gets teaching.

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

But if you put your heart right, stretching out your hands to him;

14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

If you put far away the evil of your hands, and let no wrongdoing have a place in your tent;

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

Then truly your face will be lifted up, with no mark of sin, and you will be fixed in your place without fear:

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

For your sorrow will go from your memory, like waters flowing away:

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

And your life will be brighter than day; though it is dark, it will become like the morning.

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

And you will be safe because there is hope; after looking round, you will take your rest in quiet;

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

Sleeping with no fear of danger; and men will be desiring to have grace in your eyes;

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 the evil-doers will be wasting away; their way of flight is gone, and their only hope is the taking of their last breath.