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 such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?

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 your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?

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

For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your 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 you;

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 you the secrets of wisdom! For he is great in understanding. Know then that God demands from you less than your 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 you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?

8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou effect? it is deeper than the nether world; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

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

Its measure is longer than the earth, and wider 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 anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?

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

For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice 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 foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.

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

But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;

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

suppose that iniquity were in your hand, but that then you put it far away from you, and did not let unrighteousness live in your tents.

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

Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.

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

You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.

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

Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like 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.

You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your 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 you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek your favor.

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 wicked people will fail; they will have no way to flee; their only hope will be a last gasp of life.”