Job 11

¹Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²⁰But 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.

¹Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

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

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

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

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

⁶that 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 mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

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

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

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

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

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

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

¹⁴If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

¹⁵Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

¹⁶for you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it as waters that are passed away.

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

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

¹⁹Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. Yes, many shall court your favor.

²⁰But the eyes of the wicked shall fail. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit."