Job 11

1 Then Zophar, from [the] Naamah [area], said this to Job:

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

2 “(Should no one answer all that you have said?/Someone should certainly answer all that you have said.) [RHQ] Just because you talk a lot, (should that cause us to declare that you (are innocent/have done nothing wrong)?/that should not cause us to declare that you (are innocent/have done nothing wrong).) [RHQ]

“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?

3 Job, (should your babbling cause us to be silent?/your babbling should certainly not cause us to be silent.) [RHQ] When you make fun of us, shall no one [rebuke you and] cause you to be ashamed?

Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?

4 You say, ‘What I say is true; God knows that I am (innocent/without guilt).’

You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’

5 But I wish/desire that God would talk and say something [MTY] to answer you!

But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,

6 God knows everything about everything, so I wish/desire that he would tell you the secrets that he knows because he is wise. But you need to know that God is punishing you less than you deserve!

and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.

7 [“Tell me], will you ever be able to find out the things about God that are very difficult to understand? Will you be able to find out everything that there is to know about Almighty God?

Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

8 [What there is to know about God] is greater than [the distance from earth to] heaven; so there is no way [RHQ] that you can [understand it all]. It is greater than [the distance from here to] the place of the dead; so it is impossible for you [RHQ] to know it all. (Sheol h7585)

They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 What there is to know about God is wider than the earth and wider than the ocean.

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

10 “If God comes to you and puts you in prison and then brings you to a court, (who can stop him?/no one can stop him.) [RHQ]

If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?

11 He knows which people are worthless; and when he sees people doing wicked things, (will he ignore it?/he will certainly not ignore it!) [RHQ]

Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?

12 Stupid people [like you] will start to become wise [SAR] when wild donkeys [stop giving birth to wild donkeys and] start giving birth to tame donkeys.

But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!

13 “Job, repent [IDM]; reach out your hands to seek God’s help.

As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,

14 If you have done evil things, stop doing them; and do not allow any people in your house to do wicked things.

if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,

15 If you do what I have said, surely you will lift up your head because you will not be ashamed; you will be strong, and not afraid [of anything].

then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid.

16 You will forget all your troubles; they will be like [the] water [of a flood] that has all disappeared.

For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.

17 [Your troubles will be ended, like the darkness ends] at the dawn; [it will be as though] [MET] the sun is shining brightly on you, like [it shines] at noon.

Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.

18 You will feel safe/secure, because you will confidently expect [that good things will happen to you]; God will protect you and enable you to rest safely [each night].

You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.

19 You will lie down, and no one will cause you to be afraid. And many people will come and request you to do things for them.

You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.

20 But wicked people [SYN] will not be able to understand [why bad things are happening to them]; they will not have any way to escape [from their troubles]. The only thing that they will want to do is to die. [EUP]”

But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”