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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

But O 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.

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

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

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

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

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

For he knoweth the unrighteous; He seeth iniquity, when they do not observe 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 vain man is without understanding; Yea, man is born a wild ass's colt.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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