Job 11
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:
2 “Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?
Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified?
3 Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?
Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others, shall no man confute thee?
4 You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’
For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.
5 But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,
And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,
6 and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.
That he might shew thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his law is manifold, and thou mightest understand that he exacteth much less of thee, than thy iniquity deserveth.
7 Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?
8 They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? (Sheol h7585)
He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know? (Sheol h7585)
9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?
If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?
11 Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?
For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it?
12 But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!
A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass’s colt.
13 As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,
Rut thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.
14 if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,
If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and lot not injustice remain in thy tabernacle:
15 then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid.
Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.
16 For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.
Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away.
17 Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.
And brightness like that of the noonday, shall arise to thee at evening: and when thou shalt think thyself consumed, thou shalt rise as the day star.
18 You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.
And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure.
19 You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.
Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”
But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul.
