Job 11

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, 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 lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

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

For thou hast said, 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 oh 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 shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that [they are] double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee [less] than thine iniquity [deserveth].

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

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

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

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

9 Its measure 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 passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

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

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

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

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

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

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

If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And [thine] age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt 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 shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig [about thee, and] thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

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

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make [thee] afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto 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 not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the giving up of the ghost.