Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, and said,

2 “Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

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

3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mock, shall no man make thee ashamed?

4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

For thou say, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,

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

6 that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

and that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacts of thee less than thine iniquity deserves.

7 “Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

Can thou find out God by searching? Can thou find out the Almighty to perfection?

8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? (Sheol h7585)

It is high as heaven; what can thou do? Deeper than Sheol; what can thou know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

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

10 If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

If he passes through, and shuts up, and all to judgment, then who can hinder him?

11 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

For he knows false men. He also sees iniquity. Will he not then consider it?

12 An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

But vain man is void of understanding. Yea, man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

13 “If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands towards him.

If thou set thy heart aright, and stretch out thy hands toward him,

14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

if iniquity is in thy hand, put it far away, and let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents.

15 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

Surely then thou shall lift up thy face without spot. Yea, thou shall be steadfast, and shall not fear.

16 for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.

For thou shall forget thy misery. Thou shall remember it as waters that are passed away.

17 Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.

And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.

18 You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.

And thou shall be secure, because there is hope. Yea, thou shall search about thee, and shall take thy rest in safety.

19 Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favour.

Also thou shall lie down, and none shall make thee afraid. Yea, many shall correspond with thee.

20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall have no way to flee. And their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit.