Job 11

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

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

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 not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?

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 boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?

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

For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'

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

But, oh, that 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!

that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For he is great in understanding. Know then that God demands 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 understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?

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)

The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? It is 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.

Its 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 passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then 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]

For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?

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 foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.

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

But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;

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

suppose that iniquity were in your hand, but that then you put it far away from you, and did not let unrighteousness live 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 you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.

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

You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.

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 would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become 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 would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest 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.

Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek 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 wicked people will fail; they will have no way to flee; their only hope will be a last gasp of life.”