Job 11

1 But Zophar the Naamathite, responding, said:

Then Zophar, from [the] Naamah [area], said this to Job:

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

“(Should no one answer all that you have said?/Someone should certainly answer all that you have said.) [RHQ] Just because you talk a lot, (should that cause us to declare that you (are innocent/have done nothing wrong)?/that should not cause us to declare that you (are innocent/have done nothing wrong).) [RHQ]

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

Job, (should your babbling cause us to be silent?/your babbling should certainly not cause us to be silent.) [RHQ] When you make fun of us, shall no one [rebuke you and] cause you to be ashamed?

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

You say, ‘What I say is true; God knows that I am (innocent/without guilt).’

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

But I wish/desire that God would talk and say something [MTY] to answer 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.

God knows everything about everything, so I wish/desire that he would tell you the secrets that he knows because he is wise. But you need to know that God is punishing you less than you deserve!

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

[“Tell me], will you ever be able to find out the things about God that are very difficult to understand? Will you be able to find out everything that there is to know about Almighty God?

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

[What there is to know about God] is greater than [the distance from earth to] heaven; so there is no way [RHQ] that you can [understand it all]. It is greater than [the distance from here to] the place of the dead; so it is impossible for you [RHQ] to know it all. (Sheol h7585)

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

What there is to know about God is wider than the earth and wider than the ocean.

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

“If God comes to you and puts you in prison and then brings you to a court, (who can stop him?/no one can stop him.) [RHQ]

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

He knows which people are worthless; and when he sees people doing wicked things, (will he ignore it?/he will certainly not ignore it!) [RHQ]

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

Stupid people [like you] will start to become wise [SAR] when wild donkeys [stop giving birth to wild donkeys and] start giving birth to tame donkeys.

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

“Job, repent [IDM]; reach out your hands to seek God’s help.

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

If you have done evil things, stop doing them; and do not allow any people in your house to do wicked things.

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

If you do what I have said, surely you will lift up your head because you will not be ashamed; you will be strong, and not afraid [of anything].

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

You will forget all your troubles; they will be like [the] water [of a flood] that has all disappeared.

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.

[Your troubles will be ended, like the darkness ends] at the dawn; [it will be as though] [MET] the sun is shining brightly on you, like [it shines] at noon.

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

You will feel safe/secure, because you will confidently expect [that good things will happen to you]; God will protect you and enable you to rest safely [each night].

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

You will lie down, and no one will cause you to be afraid. And many people will come and request you to do things for them.

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 wicked people [SYN] will not be able to understand [why bad things are happening to them]; they will not have any way to escape [from their troubles]. The only thing that they will want to do is to die. [EUP]”