Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite began speaking and said,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, and said,

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

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

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

Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mock, shall no man make thee ashamed?

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

For thou say, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

5 If only God would speak up and tell you directly,

But O that God would speak, and open his lips against thee,

6 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.

and that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacts of thee less than thine iniquity deserves.

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

Can thou find out God by searching? Can thou find out the Almighty to perfection?

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

It is high as heaven; what can thou do? Deeper than Sheol; what can thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

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

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

If he passes through, and shuts up, and all to judgment, then who can hinder him?

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

For he knows false men. He also sees iniquity. Will he not then consider it?

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

But vain man is void of understanding. Yea, man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

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

If thou set thy heart aright, and stretch out thy hands toward him,

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

if iniquity is in thy hand, put it far away, and let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents.

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

Surely then thou shall lift up thy face without spot. Yea, thou shall be steadfast, and shall not fear.

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

For thou shall forget thy misery. Thou shall remember it as waters that are passed away.

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

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

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

And thou shall be secure, because there is hope. Yea, thou shall search about thee, and shall take thy rest in safety.

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

Also thou shall lie down, and none shall make thee afraid. Yea, many shall correspond with thee.

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

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall have no way to flee. And their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit.