Job 11

1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,WEBThen Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

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

3Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?WEBShould your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

4For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.WEBFor you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

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

6And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.WEBthat 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.

7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?WEB“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

8It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?WEBThey are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?

9The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.WEBIts measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?WEBIf he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

11For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?WEBFor he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

12For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.WEBAn empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

13If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;WEB“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.

14If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.WEBIf iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

15For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:WEBSurely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

16Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:WEBfor you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.

17And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.WEBLife will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.

18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.WEBYou will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.

19Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.WEBAlso you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.

20But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.WEBBut the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”