Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

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

Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

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

Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

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

For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thy eyes.

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

But O that God would 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 show thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thy iniquity deserveth.

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

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?

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 do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

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

If he shall cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

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

For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

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

For vain man would be wise, though man is born like a wild donkey’s colt.

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

If thou preparest thy heart, and stretchest 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 iniquity is 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 shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear:

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

Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

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

And thy age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

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

And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

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

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit to thee.

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 they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.