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 justified?

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

Should your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

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

For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your 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 you;

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 show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

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

Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty unto perfection?

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 as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you 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 cut off, and shut up, or gather together, 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 knows vain men: he sees wickedness also; 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.

For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.

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

If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your 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 your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.

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

For then shall you lift up your face without spot; yea, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

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

Because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass 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 your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you 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 you shall be secure, because there is hope; yea, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your 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 you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto you.

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 not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the spirit.