Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But, oh, that 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].

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Its 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 passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become 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 would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.

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

Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek 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 wicked people will fail; they will have no way to flee; their only hope will be a last gasp of life.”