Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

But Zophar the Naamathite, responding, said:

2 "Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

Will he who speaks much, not also listen? Or will a talkative man be justified?

3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

Will men be silent only for you? And when you have mocked others, will no one refute you?

4 For you say, 'My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.'

For you said: “My word is pure, and I am clean in your sight.”

5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,

Yet I wish that God would speak with you, and would open his lips to you,

6 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.

so that he might reveal to you the secrets of wisdom, and how intricate his law is, and that you would understand how much less he requires of you than your iniquity deserves.

7 "Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of Shaddai?

By chance, will you comprehend the footsteps of God and reach all the way to the perfection of the Almighty?

8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? (Sheol h7585)

He is higher than heaven, and what will you do? He is deeper than hell, but how will you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

His measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

10 If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

If he overturns all things, or packs them together, who will contradict him?

11 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn't consider it.

For he knows the vanity of men, and when he sees iniquity, does he not evaluate it?

12 An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

A vain man is lifted up in arrogance, and he thinks that he is born free like a wild ass’s colt.

13 "If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.

But you have fortified your heart and extended your hands to him.

14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

If you would send away from you the iniquity that is in your hand, and not let injustice remain in your tabernacle,

15 Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

then you would be able to lift up your face without blemish, and you would be steadfast and unafraid.

16 for you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it as waters that are passed away.

Misery, likewise, you would forget, or would remember only like waters that have passed by.

17 Life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning.

And brightness, like that of midday, will rise upon you until evening, and when you would think yourself consumed, you will rise up like the morning star.

18 You shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.

And, when hope has been set before you, you will have faith, and, when buried, you will sleep secure.

19 Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. Yes, many shall court your favor.

You will rest, and there will be nothing to make you afraid, and many will make requests before your face.

20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit."

But the eyes of the impious will fade away, and the path to escape will perish before them, for the abomination of the soul is their hope.