Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

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

Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be accounted right?

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?

Thy boastings have made men hold their peace, and thou hast mocked, with none to make thee ashamed;

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

And thou hast said: 'My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in Thine eyes.'

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

But oh that God would speak, and open His lips against thee;

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

And that He would tell thee the secrets of wisdom, that sound wisdom is manifold! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

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

Canst thou find out the deep things of God? Canst thou attain unto the purpose 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 high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than the nether-world; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader 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 pass by, and shut up, or gather in, then who can hinder Him?

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

For He knoweth base men; and when He seeth iniquity, will He not then consider it?

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

But an empty man will get understanding, when a wild ass's colt is born a man.

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

If thou set thy heart aright, and stretch out thy hands toward Him —

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

If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, and let not unrighteousness dwell in thy 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:

Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear;

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

For thou shalt forget thy misery; thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away;

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

And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday; though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.

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

And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt look about thee, and shalt take thy rest in safety.

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

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

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 shall fail, and they shall have no way to flee, and their hope shall be the drooping of the soul.