Job 11

1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?footnote a

3Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?footnote b

4For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

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

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.

7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

8It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?footnote c

9The measure thereof 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?footnote dfootnote e

11For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

12For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.footnote f

13If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;

14If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

15For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

16Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

17And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.footnote g

18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

19Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.footnote h

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.footnote ifootnote j

Zophar Rebukes Job

1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

2“Should this stream of words go unansweredand such a speaker be vindicated? 3Should your babbling put others to silence?Will you scoff without rebuke? 4You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound,and I am pure in Your sight.’ 5But if only God would speakand open His lips against you, 6and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom,for true wisdom has two sides.Know then that God exacts from youless than your iniquity deserves.

7Can you fathom the deep things of Godor discover the limits of the Almighty? 8They are higher than the heavens—what can you do?They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? 9Their measure is longer than the earthand wider than the sea.

10If He comes along to imprison you,or convenes a court, who can stop Him? 11Surely He knows the deceit of men.If He sees iniquity, does He not take note? 12But a witless man can no more become wisethan the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!footnote a

13As for you, if you direct your heartand lift up your hands to Him, 14if you put away the iniquity in your hand,and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents, 15then indeed you will lift up your face without blemish;you will stand firm and unafraid. 16For you will forget your misery,recalling it only as waters gone by. 17Your life will be brighter than noonday;its darkness will be like the morning. 18You will be secure, because there is hope,and you will look around and lie down in safety.

19You will lie down without fear,and many will court your favor. 20But the eyes of the wicked will fail,and escape will elude them;they will hope for their last breath.”