Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then Zophar the Naamathite began speaking and said,

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

“So many words be answered, shouldn't they? Or is a person proved right by doing a lot of talking?

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

Should all your babbling force people to keep quiet? When you mock, shouldn't someone make you feel ashamed?

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

You said, ‘What I teach is the pure truth,’ and ‘in God's eyes I am clean.’

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

If only God would speak up and tell you directly,

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.

because then he would explain to you the secrets of wisdom. True wisdom has many sides to it. God's treatment of you is far better than your guilt deserves.

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

Can you find out the mysteries of God? Can you discover all the wisdom 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 greater than the heavens—what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol—what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

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

It extends farther 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 God comes and imprisons someone, or assembles the court for judgment, who can stop him?

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

For God knows who are deceivers—when he sees someone sin, he pays attention to it.

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

Stupid people will become wise when wild donkeys are born tame!

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

But if you repent and spread out your hands to pray to him,

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

if you get rid of your sins and don't let wickedness continue in your life,

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 hold your head high in innocence, you will be firm and unafraid.

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

You will forget your misery, remembering it only as water under the bridge.

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

Your life will shine brighter than the noonday sun; even darkness will be like the morning.

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

You will have confidence because there is hope; you will be protected and rest in safety.

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

You will lie down to sleep with no one to frighten you, and many will come asking for your 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 will fail, they will not be able to escape, and their only hope is in death.”