Job 11

1 Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:

Then Zophar the Naamathite began speaking and said,

2 Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified?

“So many words be answered, shouldn't they? Or is a person proved right by doing a lot of talking?

3 Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others, shall no man confute thee?

Should all your babbling force people to keep quiet? When you mock, shouldn't someone make you feel ashamed?

4 For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.

You said, ‘What I teach is the pure truth,’ and ‘in God's eyes I am clean.’

5 And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,

If only God would speak up and tell you directly,

6 That he might shew thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his law is manifold, and thou mightest understand that he exacteth much less of thee, than thy iniquity deserveth.

because then he would explain to you the secrets of wisdom. True wisdom has many sides to it. God's treatment of you is far better than your guilt deserves.

7 Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?

Can you find out the mysteries of God? Can you discover all the wisdom of the Almighty?

8 He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know? (Sheol h7585)

It is greater than the heavens—what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol—what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

It extends farther than the earth, and wider than the sea.

10 If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?

If God comes and imprisons someone, or assembles the court for judgment, who can stop him?

11 For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it?

For God knows who are deceivers—when he sees someone sin, he pays attention to it.

12 A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass’s colt.

Stupid people will become wise when wild donkeys are born tame!

13 Rut thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.

But if you repent and spread out your hands to pray to him,

14 If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and lot not injustice remain in thy tabernacle:

if you get rid of your sins and don't let wickedness continue in your life,

15 Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.

then you would be able to hold your head high in innocence, you will be firm and unafraid.

16 Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away.

You will forget your misery, remembering it only as water under the bridge.

17 And brightness like that of the noonday, shall arise to thee at evening: and when thou shalt think thyself consumed, thou shalt rise as the day star.

Your life will shine brighter than the noonday sun; even darkness will be like the morning.

18 And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure.

You will have confidence because there is hope; you will be protected and rest in safety.

19 Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face.

You will lie down to sleep with no one to frighten you, and many will come asking for your favor.

20 But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul.

But the eyes of the wicked will fail, they will not be able to escape, and their only hope is in death.”