Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

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

Shall not the multitude of words receive an answer? Shall the man of words be justified?

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

Shall thy boastings make men hold their peace? Shalt thou mock, and none put thee to shame?

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

Thou sayest, My speech is pure; I am clean in thine eyes, [[O God!]]

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

But O that God would speak, And open his lips against thee;

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.

That he would show thee the secrets of his wisdom, —His wisdom, which is unsearchable! Then shouldst thou know that God forgiveth thee many of thine iniquities.

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

Canst thou search out the deep things of God? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?

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

'Tis high as heaven, what canst thou do? Deeper than hell, what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader 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 apprehend, and bind, and bring to trial, Who shall oppose him?

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

For he knoweth the unrighteous; He seeth iniquity, when they do not observe it.

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

But vain man is without understanding; Yea, man is born a wild ass's colt.

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

If thou direct thy heart, And stretch out thy hands, toward 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 thou put away iniquity from thy hand, And let not wickedness dwell in thy habitation, —

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

Then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; Yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and have no fear.

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

For thou shalt forget thy misery, Or remember it as waters that have passed away.

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

Thy life shall be brighter than the noon-day; Now thou art in darkness, thou shalt then be as morning.

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

Thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; Now thou art disappointed, thou shalt then rest in safety.

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

Thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; And many shall make suit unto thee.

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 shall be wearied out; They shall find no refuge; Their hope is—the breathing forth of life.