Job 11

1 Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

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

"Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

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

Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

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

For you say, 'My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your 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 you,

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.

that he would show you the secrets of wisdom. For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

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

"Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of Shaddai?

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

They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? (Sheol h7585)

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

Its measure 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 passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

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

For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn't consider it.

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

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

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

"If you set your heart aright, stretch out your 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 is in your hand, put it far away. Do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

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

Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

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

for you shall forget your misery. You shall 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.

Life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is 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.

You shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.

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

Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. Yes, many shall court 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 shall fail. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit."