Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

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

3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

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

4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thy eyes.

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

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

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

6 And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thy iniquity deserveth.

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 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?

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

8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? (Sheol h7585)

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

9 The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea.

10 If he shall cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

If he apprehend, and bind, and bring to trial, Who shall oppose him?

11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

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

12 For vain man would be wise, though man is born like a wild donkey’s colt.

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

13 If thou preparest thy heart, and stretchest out thy hands toward him;

If thou direct thy heart, And stretch out thy hands, toward him;

14 If iniquity is in thy hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tents.

If thou put away iniquity from thy hand, And let not wickedness dwell in thy habitation, —

15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear:

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

16 Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

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

17 And thy age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

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

18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

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

19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit to thee.

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

20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

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