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?

Shall not the multitude of words receive an answer? Shall the man of words 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!

Shall thy boastings make men hold their peace? Shalt thou mock, and none put thee to shame?

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

Thou sayest, My speech is pure; I am clean in thine eyes, [[O God!]]

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.

That he would show thee the secrets of his wisdom, —His wisdom, which is unsearchable! Then shouldst thou know that God forgiveth thee many of thine iniquities.

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

Canst thou search out the deep things of God? Canst 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)

'Tis 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 apprehend, and bind, and bring to trial, Who shall oppose him?

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

For he knoweth the unrighteous; He seeth iniquity, when they do not observe 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 without understanding; Yea, man is born a wild ass's colt.

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

If thou direct thy heart, 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 thou put away iniquity from thy hand, And let not wickedness dwell in thy habitation, —

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

Then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; Yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and have no fear.

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

For thou shalt forget thy misery, Or remember it as waters that have passed away.

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

Thy life shall be brighter than the noon-day; Now thou art in darkness, thou shalt then be as morning.

18 And thou wilt feel trust, because there is hope: yea, thou wilt search about carefully, and thou wilt lie down in safety.

Thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; Now thou art disappointed, thou shalt then rest in safety.

19 Also thou wilt stretch thyself out [to rest], with none to make thee afraid; and many will entreat thy favor.

Thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; And 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 be wearied out; They shall find no refuge; Their hope is—the breathing forth of life.