< Job 11 >

1 And Zophar the Naamathite answers and says:
Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,
2 “Is a multitude of words not answered? And is a man of lips justified?
“Should not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?
3 Your boastings make men keep silent, You scorn, and none is causing blushing!
Should your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?
4 And you say, My discourse [is] pure, And I have been clean in Your eyes.
For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'
5 And yet, O that God had spoken! And opens His lips with you.
But, oh, that God would speak and open his lips against you;
6 And declares to you secrets of wisdom, for counsel has foldings. And know that God forgets of your iniquity for you.
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 Do you find out God by searching? To perfection find out the Mighty One?
Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?
8 Heights of the heavens—what [can] you do? Deeper than Sheol—what [can] you 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 Its measure [is] longer than earth, and broader than the sea.
Its measure is longer than the earth, and wider than the sea.
10 If He passes on, and shuts up, and assembles, Who then reverses it?
If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?
11 For He has known men of vanity, And He sees iniquity, And one does not consider [it]!
For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?
12 And empty man is bold, And man is born [as] the colt of a wild donkey.
But foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.
13 If you have prepared your heart, And have spread out your hands to Him,
But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;
14 If iniquity [is] in your hand, put it far off, And do not let perverseness dwell in your 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 you lift up your face from blemish, And you have been firm, and do not fear.
Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.
16 For you forget misery, As waters passed away you remember.
You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.
17 And age rises above the noon, You fly—you are as the morning.
Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.
18 And you have trusted because there is hope, And searched—in confidence you lie down,
You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.
19 And you have rested, And none is causing trembling, And many have begged [at] your face;
Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek your favor.
20 And the eyes of the wicked are consumed, And refuge has perished from them, And their hope [is] a breathing out of 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.”

< Job 11 >