Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite began speaking and said,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, 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 mockest, 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 sayest, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

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

But Oh 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 shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that is manifold in effectual working! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

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

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto 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 canst thou do? deeper than Sheol; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

The measure thereof 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 pass through, and shut up, and call unto 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 knoweth vain men: he seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.

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 ass’s colt.

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

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

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

If iniquity be in thine 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 shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

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

For thou shalt forget thy misery; thou shalt 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 shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt search [about thee], and shalt 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 shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto 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 ghost.