Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then answered Zophar the Na'amathite, and said.

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

Shall a multitude of words not be answered? and is it so that a man full of talk shall be deemed in the right?

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

Thy inventions are to bring men to silence; and when thou utterest thy mocking no one is to cause thee to feel abashed!

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

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

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

But oh that God would but speak, and open his lips against thee;

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If he pass by, and surrender [one to suffering], and call together an assembly, who can hinder him?

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

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

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

And the heartless who acquireth intelligence, and him who is [like] the colt of the wild ass who is transformed into a man.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 wicked shall fail, and the means of escape will vanish from them, and their [sole] hope shall be the breathing out of their soul.