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 your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

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

For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.

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

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

And that he would show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

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

Can you by searching find out God? can you 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 can you do? deeper than hell; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

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

The measure thereof 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 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 knows vain men: he sees 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 men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.

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

If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward him;

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

If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.

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

For then shall you lift up your face without spot; yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

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

Because you shall forget your 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 your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you shall 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 you shall be secure, because there is hope; yes, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.

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

Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yes, many shall make suit to you.

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.