Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

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

They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Longer in measure than the earth, and wider than the sea.

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

10 If he goes on his way, shutting a man up and putting him to death, who may make him go back from his purpose?

If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.

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

Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.

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

You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.

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

You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.

20 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.

But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”