< Job 11 >
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
And Zophar the Naamathite answers and says:
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
“Is a multitude of words not answered? And is a man of lips justified?
3 Should thy falsehoods make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
Your boastings make men keep silent, You scorn, and none is causing blushing!
4 For thou hast said, My doctrine [is] pure, and I am clean in thy eyes.
And you say, My discourse [is] pure, And I have been clean in Your eyes.
5 But Oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
And yet, O that God had spoken! And opens His lips with 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 declares to you secrets of wisdom, for counsel has foldings. And know that God forgets of your iniquity for you.
7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?
Do you find out God by searching? To perfection find out the Mighty One?
8 [It is] as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? (Sheol )
Heights of the heavens—what [can] you do? Deeper than Sheol—what [can] you know? (Sheol )
9 The measure of it [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
Its measure [is] longer than 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 passes on, and shuts up, and assembles, Who then reverses it?
11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider [it]?
For He has known men of vanity, And He sees iniquity, And one does not consider [it]!
12 For vain man would be wise, though man is born [like] a wild ass's colt.
And empty man is bold, And man is born [as] the colt of a wild donkey.
13 If thou preparest thy heart, and stretchest out thy hands towards him;
If you have prepared your heart, And have spread out your hands to Him,
14 If iniquity [is] in thy hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
If iniquity [is] in your hand, put it far off, And do not let perverseness dwell in your tents.
15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yes, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear:
For then you lift up your face from blemish, And you have been firm, and do not fear.
16 Because thou shalt forget [thy] misery, [and] remember [it] as waters [that] pass away:
For you forget misery, As waters passed away you remember.
17 And [thy] age shall be clearer than the noon-day: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
And age rises above the noon, You fly—you are as 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.
And you have trusted because there is hope, And searched—in confidence you lie down,
19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make [thee] afraid; yes, many shall make suit to thee.
And you have rested, And none is causing trembling, And many have begged [at] your face;
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.
And the eyes of the wicked are consumed, And refuge has perished from them, And their hope [is] a breathing out of soul!”