Job 11

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

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

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]

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

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 boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

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

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean 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 true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of 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 mystery of God? Or can you probe 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 high as heaven. 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.

Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader 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 by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose 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 men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider 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.

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

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

“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward 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 iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness 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].

Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

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. You will remember it like waters that have passed 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.

Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as 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. Yes, you will search, and will 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 will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, 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. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”