Job 11

1 Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

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

“Should not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?

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

Should your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?

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

For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless 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 he is great in understanding. Know then that God demands from you less than your iniquity deserves.

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

Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?

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

The matter is as high as heaven; 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.

Its measure is longer 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 he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?

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

For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?

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

But foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.

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

But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;

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

suppose that iniquity were in your hand, but that then you put it far away from you, and did not let unrighteousness live in your tents.

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

Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.

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

You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed 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.

Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.

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

You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would 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 would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek 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 wicked people will fail; they will have no way to flee; their only hope will be a last gasp of life.”