Job 11

1 Then responded Zophar the Naamathite, and said: —

But Zophar the Naamathite, responding, said:

2 Should, the multitude of words, not be answered? Or should, a man full of talk, be justified?

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

3 Shall, thy pratings, cause men to hold their peace? When thou hast mocked, shall there be none to put thee to shame?

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

4 Since thou hast said, Right is my doctrine, and pure am I in his eyes.

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

5 But, in very deed, oh that GOD would speak, that he would open his lips with thee:

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

6 That he would declare to thee the secrets of wisdom, for they are double to that which actually is, —Know then that GOD could bring into forgetfulness for thee, a portion of thine iniquity.

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 The hidden depth of GOD canst thou discover? Or, unto the furthest limit of the Almighty, canst thou attain?

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

8 The heights of the heavens, what canst thou do? Depths deeper than hades, what canst thou 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 Longer than the earth, is the measure thereof, and broader than the sea.

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

10 If he sweep on, or shut up, or call together, Who then shall hinder him?

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

11 For, he, knoweth men of falsity, and seeth iniquity, and him that doth not diligently consider.

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

12 But, an empty person, will get sense, when, a wild ass’s colt, is born a man!

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

13 If, thou, hast prepared thy heart, and wilt spread forth, unto him, thy hands—

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

14 If, iniquity, be in thy hand, Put it far away, and let there not dwell in thy tents perversity,

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, shalt thou lift up thy face free from blemish, and shalt be established, and not fear.

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

16 For, now, shalt thou forget, sorrow, Like waters passed away, shalt thou remember it.

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

17 Above high noon, shall rise life’s continuance, Darkness, like a morning, shall appear,

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 And thou shalt he confident, that there is hope, and, when thou hast searched, securely shalt thou lie down;

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

19 And shalt rest, with none to put thee in terror, —and many shall entreat thy favour.

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 lawless, shall fail, —and, place of refuge, shall have vanished from them, and, their hope, be a breathing out of life.

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.