Job 11

1 But Zophar the Naamathite, responding, said:

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

2 Will he who speaks much, not also listen? Or will a talkative man be justified?

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

3 Will men be silent only for you? And when you have mocked others, will no one refute you?

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

4 For you said: “My word is pure, and I am clean in your sight.”

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

5 Yet I wish that God would speak with you, and would open his lips to you,

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

6 so that he might reveal to you the secrets of wisdom, and how intricate his law is, and that you would understand how much less he requires of you than your iniquity deserves.

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 By chance, will you comprehend the footsteps of God and reach all the way to the perfection of the Almighty?

Canst thou find out the deep things of God? Canst thou attain unto the purpose of the Almighty?

8 He is higher than heaven, and what will you do? He is deeper than hell, but how will you know? (Sheol h7585)

It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than the nether-world; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

9 His measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10 If he overturns all things, or packs them together, who will contradict him?

If He pass by, and shut up, or gather in, then who can hinder Him?

11 For he knows the vanity of men, and when he sees iniquity, does he not evaluate it?

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

12 A vain man is lifted up in arrogance, and he thinks that he is born free like a wild ass’s colt.

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

13 But you have fortified your heart and extended your hands to him.

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

14 If you would send away from you the iniquity that is in your hand, and not let injustice remain in your tabernacle,

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

15 then you would be able to lift up your face without blemish, and you would be steadfast and unafraid.

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

16 Misery, likewise, you would forget, or would remember only like waters that have passed by.

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

17 And brightness, like that of midday, will rise upon you until evening, and when you would think yourself consumed, you will rise up like the morning star.

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

18 And, when hope has been set before you, you will have faith, and, when buried, you will sleep secure.

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

19 You will rest, and there will be nothing to make you afraid, and many will make requests before your face.

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

20 But the eyes of the impious will fade away, and the path to escape will perish before them, for the abomination of the soul is their hope.

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.