Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

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

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

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

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

4 For thou hast said, My doctrine [is] pure, and I am clean in thy 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 thee;

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

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].

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

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

8 [It is] as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou 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 The measure of it [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

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

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

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

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

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

12 For vain man would be wise, though man is born [like] a wild ass's colt.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17 And [thy] age shall be clearer than the noon-day: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

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

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

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

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

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

20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the expiration of the breath.

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