Job 11
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?
3 Should your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?
Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?
4 For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.
You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’
5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you;
But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,
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.
and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.
7 Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty unto perfection?
Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
They are higher than the heavens—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.
Their measure is longer 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 He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?
11 For he knows vain men: he sees wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?
12 For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!
13 If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward him;
As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,
14 If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.
if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,
15 For then shall you lift up your face without spot; yea, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:
then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid.
16 Because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.
17 And your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you shall be as the morning.
Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.
18 And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yea, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.
You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.
19 Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto you.
You will lie down without fear, and many will court 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 spirit.
But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”
