Job 11

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

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

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?

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? 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 your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

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

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean 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 true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of 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 fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

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

They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are 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 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 by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose 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 sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t 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.

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a 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 you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands towards him.

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

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell 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;

Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

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

for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like 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.

Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will 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.

You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will 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 will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favour.

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 will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”