Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6 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.

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 Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?

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

8 The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

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

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

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

10 If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14 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.

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

15 Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.

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

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

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

17 Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.

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

18 You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.

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

19 Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek your favor.

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

20 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.”

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