Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and sayde,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

2 Should not the multitude of wordes be answered? or should a great talker be iustified?

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

3 Should men holde their peace at thy lyes? and when thou mockest others, shall none make thee ashamed?

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

4 For thou hast sayde, My doctrine is pure, and I am cleane in thine eyes.

For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'

5 But, oh that God would speake and open his lippes against thee!

But, oh, that God would speak and open his lips against you;

6 That he might shewe thee the secretes of wisedome, howe thou hast deserued double, according to right: know therefore that God hath forgotten thee for thine iniquitie.

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 Canst thou by searching finde out God? canst thou finde out ye Almighty to his perfection?

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

8 The heauens are hie, what canst thou doe? it is deeper then the hell, how canst thou know it? (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 thereof is longer then the earth, and it is broader then the sea.

Its measure is longer than the earth, and wider than the sea.

10 If hee cut off and shut vp, or gather together, who can turne him backe?

If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?

11 For hee knoweth vaine men, and seeth iniquitie, and him that vnderstandeth nothing.

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

12 Yet vaine man would be wise, though man new borne is like a wilde asse colte.

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

13 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him:

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

14 If iniquitie be in thine hand, put it farre away, and let no wickednesse dwell 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 The truely shalt thou lift vp thy face without spot, and shalt be stable, and shalt not feare.

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

16 But thou shalt forget thy miserie, and remember it as waters that are past.

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

17 Thine age also shall appeare more cleare then the noone day: thou shalt shine and bee as the morning.

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

18 And thou shalt bee bolde, because there is hope: and thou shalt digge pittes, and shalt lye downe safely.

You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.

19 For when thou takest thy rest, none shall make thee afraide: yea, many shall make sute vnto thee.

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 faile, and their refuge shall perish, and their hope shalbe sorow of minde.

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.”