Job 11
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,
Then Zophar, from [the] Naamah [area], said this to Job:
2 “Should not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?
“(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]
3 Should your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?
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?
4 For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'
You say, ‘What I say is true; God knows that I am (innocent/without guilt).’
5 But, oh, that God would speak and open his lips against you;
But I wish/desire that God would talk and say something [MTY] to answer 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.
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!
7 Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?
[“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?
8 The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)
[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)
9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and wider than the sea.
What there is to know about God is wider than the earth and wider than the ocean.
10 If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?
“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]
11 For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?
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]
12 But foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.
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.
13 But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;
“Job, repent [IDM]; reach out your hands to seek God’s help.
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 have done evil things, stop doing them; and do not allow any people in your house to do wicked things.
15 Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.
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].
16 You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.
You will forget all your troubles; they will be like [the] water [of a flood] that has all disappeared.
17 Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.
[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.
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 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].
19 Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek your favor.
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.
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 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]”
