Job 11

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

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, 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 lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, 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 hast said, 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 oh 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 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.

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

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto 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 as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Longer than the earth is its measure, and broader than the sea.

The measure thereof 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 cut off, and shut up, or gather together, 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 knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt 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 shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt 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 shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto 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 not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.