Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

2 “Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?

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

3 Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?

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

4 You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’

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

5 But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,

But O that God would speak, And open his lips against 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 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 deep things of God or discover 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 higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

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

9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

The measure thereof 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 apprehend, and bind, and bring to trial, Who shall oppose him?

11 Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?

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

12 But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!

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

13 As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,

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

14 if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,

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

15 then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid.

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, recalling it only as waters gone by.

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

17 Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like 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, and you will look around and lie down in safety.

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

19 You will lie down without fear, and 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, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”

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