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?

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

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?

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

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

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

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

But O 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!

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

Canst thou search out the deep things of God? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?

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

'Tis high as heaven, what canst thou do? Deeper than hell, 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 apprehend, and bind, and bring to trial, Who shall oppose him?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; Yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and have no fear.

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

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

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

Thy life shall be brighter than the noon-day; Now thou art in darkness, thou shalt then be as morning.

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

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

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

Thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; And 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 be wearied out; They shall find no refuge; Their hope is—the breathing forth of life.