Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

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

Shall not the multitude of words receive an answer? Shall the man of words be justified?

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

Shall thy boastings make men hold their peace? Shalt thou mock, and none put thee to shame?

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

Thou sayest, My speech is pure; I am clean in thine eyes, [[O God!]]

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

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

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 thee the secrets of his wisdom, —His wisdom, which is unsearchable! Then shouldst thou know that God forgiveth thee many of thine iniquities.

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

Canst thou search out the deep things of God? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?

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

'Tis high as heaven, what canst thou do? Deeper than hell, what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea.

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

If he apprehend, and bind, and bring to trial, Who shall oppose him?

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

For he knoweth the unrighteous; He seeth iniquity, when they do not observe it.

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

But vain man is without understanding; Yea, man is born a wild ass's colt.

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

If thou direct thy heart, And stretch out thy hands, toward him;

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

If thou put away iniquity from thy hand, And let not wickedness dwell in thy habitation, —

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

Then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; Yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and have no fear.

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

For thou shalt forget thy misery, Or remember it as waters that have passed away.

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

Thy life shall be brighter than the noon-day; Now thou art in darkness, thou shalt then be as morning.

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

Thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; Now thou art disappointed, thou shalt then rest in safety.

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

Thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; And many shall make suit unto thee.

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 wicked shall be wearied out; They shall find no refuge; Their hope is—the breathing forth of life.