Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

2 “Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?

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

3 Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?

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

4 You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’

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

5 But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,

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

6 and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.

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.

7 Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

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

8 They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

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

9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

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

10 If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?

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

11 Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?

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

12 But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!

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

13 As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,

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

14 if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,

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

15 then indeed you will lift up your face without blemish; you will stand firm and unafraid.

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

16 For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.

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

17 Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.

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

18 You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.

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

19 You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.

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

20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”

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.”