Job 11

1 THEN answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

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

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

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

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

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

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

6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

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

10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

12 For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

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

“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands towards him.

14 If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

16 Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.

17 And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.

18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.

19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favour.

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 have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”