Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Na'amathite, and said.

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, and said,

2 Shall a multitude of words not be answered? and is it so that a man full of talk shall be deemed in the right?

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

3 Thy inventions are to bring men to silence; and when thou utterest thy mocking no one is to cause thee to feel abashed!

Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mock, shall no man make thee ashamed?

4 For thou hast said [to God], My doctrine is pure, and I am become clean in thy eyes.

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

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

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

6 And that he would declare unto thee the secrets of wisdom; for it is double to that which is really in our possession: and thou wouldst experience that God overlooketh unto thee much of thy iniquity.

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 find out the experience of God? or canst thou find [the way] unto the utmost limit of the Almighty?

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 effect? it is deeper than the nether world; 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 Longer than the earth is its measure, and broader than the sea.

The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10 If he pass by, and surrender [one to suffering], and call together an assembly, who can hinder him?

If he passes through, and shuts up, and all to judgment, then who can hinder him?

11 For he knoweth the men of vanity: he seeth the wrong-doer and him who considereth not;

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

12 And the heartless who acquireth intelligence, and him who is [like] the colt of the wild ass who is transformed into a man.

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

13 If thou truly direct [aright] thy heart, and spread out thy hands toward him: —

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

14 If wrong be in thy hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tents.

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

15 For then canst thou lift up thy face free from blemish: yea, thou wilt stand steadfast, and needest not to fear;

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

16 Because thou wilt truly forget thy trouble, and as a waterflood that is passed away wilt thou remember it;

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

17 And brighter than the noon of day will thy earthly existence arise; and thy obscurity will be like thy morning.

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

18 And thou wilt feel trust, because there is hope: yea, thou wilt search about carefully, and thou wilt lie down 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 wilt stretch thyself out [to rest], with none to make thee afraid; and many will entreat thy favor.

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 the means of escape will vanish from them, and their [sole] hope shall be the breathing out of their soul.

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.