Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,

Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:

2 Are all these words to go unanswered? and is a man seen to be right because he is full of talk?

Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified?

3 Are your words of pride to make men keep quiet? and are you to make sport, with no one to put you to shame?

Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others, shall no man confute thee?

4 You may say, My way is clean, and I am free from sin in your eyes.

For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.

5 But if only God would take up the word, opening his lips in argument with you;

And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,

6 And would make clear to you the secrets of wisdom, and the wonders of his purpose!

That he might shew thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his law is manifold, and thou mightest understand that he exacteth much less of thee, than thy iniquity deserveth.

7 Are you able to take God's measure, to make discovery of the limits of the Ruler of all?

Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?

8 They are higher than heaven; what is there for you to do? deeper than the underworld, and outside your knowledge; (Sheol h7585)

He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Longer in measure than the earth, and wider than the sea.

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

10 If he goes on his way, shutting a man up and putting him to death, who may make him go back from his purpose?

If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?

11 For in his eyes men are as nothing; he sees evil and takes note of it.

For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it?

12 And so a hollow-minded man will get wisdom, when a young ass of the field gets teaching.

A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass’s colt.

13 But if you put your heart right, stretching out your hands to him;

Rut thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.

14 If you put far away the evil of your hands, and let no wrongdoing have a place in your tent;

If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and lot not injustice remain in thy tabernacle:

15 Then truly your face will be lifted up, with no mark of sin, and you will be fixed in your place without fear:

Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.

16 For your sorrow will go from your memory, like waters flowing away:

Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away.

17 And your life will be brighter than day; though it is dark, it will become like the morning.

And brightness like that of the noonday, shall arise to thee at evening: and when thou shalt think thyself consumed, thou shalt rise as the day star.

18 And you will be safe because there is hope; after looking round, you will take your rest in quiet;

And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure.

19 Sleeping with no fear of danger; and men will be desiring to have grace in your eyes;

Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face.

20 But the eyes of the evil-doers will be wasting away; their way of flight is gone, and their only hope is the taking of their last breath.

But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul.