Job 11

1 But Zophar the Naamathite, responding, said:

Then answered Zophar the Na'amathite, and said.

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

Shall a multitude of words not be answered? and is it so that a man full of talk shall be deemed in the right?

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

Thy inventions are to bring men to silence; and when thou utterest thy mocking no one is to cause thee to feel abashed!

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

For thou hast said [to God], My doctrine is pure, and I am become clean in thy eyes.

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

But oh that God would but 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 declare unto thee the secrets of wisdom; for it is double to that which is really in our possession: and thou wouldst experience that God overlooketh unto thee much of thy iniquity.

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 experience of God? or canst thou find [the way] unto the utmost limit 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 as high as heaven; what canst thou effect? it is deeper than the nether world; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

Longer than the earth is its measure, and broader than the sea.

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

If he pass by, and surrender [one to suffering], and call together an assembly, 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 the men of vanity: he seeth the wrong-doer and him who considereth not;

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

And the heartless who acquireth intelligence, and him who is [like] the colt of the wild ass who is transformed into a man.

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

If thou truly direct [aright] thy heart, and spread 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 wrong be in thy hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tents.

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

For then canst thou lift up thy face free from blemish: yea, thou wilt stand steadfast, and needest not to fear;

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

Because thou wilt truly forget thy trouble, and as a waterflood that is passed away wilt thou remember it;

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 brighter than the noon of day will thy earthly existence arise; and thy obscurity will be like thy morning.

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

And thou wilt feel trust, because there is hope: yea, thou wilt search about carefully, and thou wilt lie down 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 wilt stretch thyself out [to rest], with none to make thee afraid; and many will entreat thy favor.

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 the means of escape will vanish from them, and their [sole] hope shall be the breathing out of their soul.