איוב 11

1 ויען צפר הנעמתי ויאמר׃

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

2 הרב דברים לא יענה ואם איש שפתים יצדק׃

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

3 בדיך מתים יחרישו ותלעג ואין מכלם׃

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

4 ותאמר זך לקחי ובר הייתי בעיניך׃

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

5 ואולם מי יתן אלוה דבר ויפתח שפתיו עמך׃

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

6 ויגד לך תעלמות חכמה כי כפלים לתושיה ודע כי ישה לך אלוה מעונך׃

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 החקר אלוה תמצא אם עד תכלית שדי תמצא׃

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

8 גבהי שמים מה תפעל עמקה משאול מה תדע׃ (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 ארכה מארץ מדה ורחבה מני ים׃

Its measure is longer than the earth, and wider than the sea.

10 אם יחלף ויסגיר ויקהיל ומי ישיבנו׃

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

11 כי הוא ידע מתי שוא וירא און ולא יתבונן׃

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

12 ואיש נבוב ילבב ועיר פרא אדם יולד׃

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

13 אם אתה הכינות לבך ופרשת אליו כפך׃

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

14 אם און בידך הרחיקהו ואל תשכן באהליך עולה׃

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 כי אז תשא פניך ממום והיית מצק ולא תירא׃

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

16 כי אתה עמל תשכח כמים עברו תזכר׃

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

17 ומצהרים יקום חלד תעפה כבקר תהיה׃

Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.

18 ובטחת כי יש תקוה וחפרת לבטח תשכב׃

You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.

19 ורבצת ואין מחריד וחלו פניך רבים׃

Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek your favor.

20 ועיני רשעים תכלינה ומנוס אבד מנהם ותקותם מפח נפש׃

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.”