Job 11
1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
Then Zophar, from [the] Naamah [area], said this to Job:
2 “Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
“(Should no one answer all that you have said?/Someone should certainly answer all that you have said.) [RHQ] Just because you talk a lot, (should that cause us to declare that you (are innocent/have done nothing wrong)?/that should not cause us to declare that you (are innocent/have done nothing wrong).) [RHQ]
3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
Job, (should your babbling cause us to be silent?/your babbling should certainly not cause us to be silent.) [RHQ] When you make fun of us, shall no one [rebuke you and] cause you to be ashamed?
4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’
You say, ‘What I say is true; God knows that I am (innocent/without guilt).’
5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,
But I wish/desire that God would talk and say something [MTY] to answer you!
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.
God knows everything about everything, so I wish/desire that he would tell you the secrets that he knows because he is wise. But you need to know that God is punishing you less than you deserve!
7 “Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
[“Tell me], will you ever be able to find out the things about God that are very difficult to understand? Will you be able to find out everything that there is to know about Almighty God?
8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? (Sheol h7585)
[What there is to know about God] is greater than [the distance from earth to] heaven; so there is no way [RHQ] that you can [understand it all]. It is greater than [the distance from here to] the place of the dead; so it is impossible for you [RHQ] to know it all. (Sheol h7585)
9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
What there is to know about God is wider than the earth and wider than the ocean.
10 If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
“If God comes to you and puts you in prison and then brings you to a court, (who can stop him?/no one can stop him.) [RHQ]
11 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
He knows which people are worthless; and when he sees people doing wicked things, (will he ignore it?/he will certainly not ignore it!) [RHQ]
12 An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
Stupid people [like you] will start to become wise [SAR] when wild donkeys [stop giving birth to wild donkeys and] start giving birth to tame donkeys.
13 “If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.
“Job, repent [IDM]; reach out your hands to seek God’s help.
14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
If you have done evil things, stop doing them; and do not allow any people in your house to do wicked things.
15 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,
If you do what I have said, surely you will lift up your head because you will not be ashamed; you will be strong, and not afraid [of anything].
16 for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
You will forget all your troubles; they will be like [the] water [of a flood] that has all disappeared.
17 Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
[Your troubles will be ended, like the darkness ends] at the dawn; [it will be as though] [MET] the sun is shining brightly on you, like [it shines] at noon.
18 You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
You will feel safe/secure, because you will confidently expect [that good things will happen to you]; God will protect you and enable you to rest safely [each night].
19 Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.
You will lie down, and no one will cause you to be afraid. And many people will come and request you to do things for them.
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 wicked people [SYN] will not be able to understand [why bad things are happening to them]; they will not have any way to escape [from their troubles]. The only thing that they will want to do is to die. [EUP]”
