Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,

Then Zophar the Naamathite began speaking and said,

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

“So many words be answered, shouldn't they? Or is a person proved right by doing a lot of talking?

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 all your babbling force people to keep quiet? When you mock, shouldn't someone make you feel ashamed?

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

You said, ‘What I teach is the pure truth,’ and ‘in God's eyes I am clean.’

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

If only God would speak up and tell you directly,

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

because then he would explain to you the secrets of wisdom. True wisdom has many sides to it. God's treatment of you is far better than your guilt deserves.

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

Can you find out the mysteries of God? Can you discover all the wisdom 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)

It is greater than the heavens—what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol—what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

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

It extends farther 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 God comes and imprisons someone, or assembles the court for judgment, who can stop him?

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

For God knows who are deceivers—when he sees someone sin, he pays attention to it.

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

Stupid people will become wise when wild donkeys are born tame!

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

But if you repent and spread out your hands to pray 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 get rid of your sins and don't let wickedness continue in your life,

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 you would be able to hold your head high in innocence, you will be firm and unafraid.

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

You will forget your misery, remembering it only as water under the bridge.

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

Your life will shine brighter than the noonday sun; even 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 have confidence because there is hope; you will be protected and rest in safety.

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

You will lie down to sleep with no one to frighten you, and many will come asking for 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, they will not be able to escape, and their only hope is in death.”