Job 11
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
Then Zophar the Naamathite began speaking and said,
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
“So many words be answered, shouldn't they? Or is a person proved right by doing a lot of talking?
3 Should your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?
Should all your babbling force people to keep quiet? When you mock, shouldn't someone make you feel ashamed?
4 For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.
You said, ‘What I teach is the pure truth,’ and ‘in God's eyes I am clean.’
5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you;
If only God would speak up and tell you directly,
6 And that he would show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
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.
7 Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty to perfection?
Can you find out the mysteries of God? Can you discover all the wisdom of the Almighty?
It is greater than the heavens—what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol—what can you know? (Sheol h7585)
9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
It extends farther than the earth, and wider than the sea.
10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
If God comes and imprisons someone, or assembles the court for judgment, who can stop him?
11 For he knows vain men: he sees wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
For God knows who are deceivers—when he sees someone sin, he pays attention to it.
12 For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.
Stupid people will become wise when wild donkeys are born tame!
13 If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward him;
But if you repent and spread out your hands to pray to him,
14 If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.
if you get rid of your sins and don't let wickedness continue in your life,
15 For then shall you lift up your face without spot; yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:
then you would be able to hold your head high in innocence, you will be firm and unafraid.
16 Because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
You will forget your misery, remembering it only as water under the bridge.
17 And your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you shall be as the morning.
Your life will shine brighter than the noonday sun; even darkness will be like the morning.
18 And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yes, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.
You will have confidence because there is hope; you will be protected and rest in safety.
19 Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yes, many shall make suit to you.
You will lie down to sleep with no one to frighten you, and many will come asking for your favor.
20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.
But the eyes of the wicked will fail, they will not be able to escape, and their only hope is in death.”
