Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, and said,

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

Should not the multitude of words be answered? And 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 thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mock, shall no man make thee ashamed?

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

For thou say, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

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

But O that God would speak, and open his lips against thee,

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].

and that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacts of thee less than thine iniquity deserves.

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

Can thou find out God by searching? Can thou find out the Almighty to perfection?

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

It is high as heaven; what can thou do? Deeper than Sheol; what can thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

The measure of it 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 through, and shuts up, and all to judgment, then who can hinder him?

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

For he knows false men. He also sees iniquity. Will he not then consider it?

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

But vain man is void of understanding. Yea, man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

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

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

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

if iniquity is in thy hand, put it far away, and let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents.

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

Surely then thou shall lift up thy face without spot. Yea, thou shall be steadfast, and shall not fear.

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

For thou shall forget thy misery. Thou shall remember it as waters that are passed away.

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

And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there be darkness, it shall 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.

And thou shall be secure, because there is hope. Yea, thou shall search about thee, and shall take thy rest in safety.

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

Also thou shall lie down, and none shall make thee afraid. Yea, many shall correspond with thee.

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 shall fail, and they shall have no way to flee. And their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit.