Job 11

1 Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

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

Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be accounted right?

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

Thy boastings have made men hold their peace, and thou hast mocked, with none to make thee ashamed;

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

And thou hast said: 'My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in Thine eyes.'

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

But oh that God would speak, and open His lips against thee;

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.

And that He would tell thee the secrets of wisdom, that sound wisdom is manifold! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

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

Canst thou find out the deep things of God? Canst thou attain unto the purpose 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 high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than the nether-world; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

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

If He pass by, and shut up, or gather in, then who can hinder Him?

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

For He knoweth base men; and when He seeth iniquity, will He not then consider it?

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

But an empty man will get understanding, when a wild ass's colt is born a man.

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

If thou set thy heart aright, and stretch out thy hands toward 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 iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, and let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents —

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

Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear;

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

For thou shalt forget thy misery; thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away;

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.

And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday; though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.

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

And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt look about thee, and shalt take thy rest in safety.

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

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

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 shall fail, and they shall have no way to flee, and their hope shall be the drooping of the soul.