Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered 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 such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?

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 boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?

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

For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your 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 you;

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

that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For he is great in understanding. Know then that God demands 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 understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?

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

The matter is as high as heaven; 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.

Its 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 passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?

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

For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?

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

But foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.

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

But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;

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

suppose that iniquity were in your hand, but that then you put it far away from you, and did not let unrighteousness live 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 you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.

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

You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.

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

Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.

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

You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.

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

Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek 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 wicked people will fail; they will have no way to flee; their only hope will be a last gasp of life.”