Job 11

1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

1Then Zophar from Naamah replied:

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

2"Shouldn't all these words be answered? Is a person proved right just because they talk a lot?

3Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

3Should your empty talk keep everyone quiet? When you mock God, should no one call you out?

4For thou sayest, My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in thine eyes.

4You claim, 'My beliefs are pure, and I am innocent in God’s sight.'

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

5How I wish that God would actually speak and open his mouth to answer you!

6And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

6He would show you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has many sides. You should know that God is even punishing you less than your sins deserve.

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

7Can you discover the mysteries of God? Can you find the limits of the Almighty?

8It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than Sheol; what canst thou know?

8His wisdom is higher than the heavens—what can you do? It is deeper than the world of the dead—what can you know?

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

9It is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

10If he pass through, and shut up, And call unto judgment, then who can hinder him?

10If he comes along and puts someone in prison or calls a court to order, who can stop him?

11For he knoweth false men: He seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.

11For he knows who is worthless; when he sees evil, does he not take notice of it?

12But vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born as a wild ass’s colt.

12An empty-headed person will get wisdom when a wild donkey’s colt is born human.

13If thou set thy heart aright, And stretch out thy hands toward him;

13Yet if you focus your heart on God and reach out your hands to him in prayer,

14If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, And let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents.

14and if you put away the sin that is in your hands and keep evil out of your home,

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

15then you will be able to face him without shame. You will stand firm and be fearless.

16For thou shalt forget thy misery; Thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away,

16You will forget your misery, or remember it only like water that has already flowed by.

17Andthylife shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.

17Your life will be brighter than the noonday sun, and even its darkness will shine like the morning.

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

18You will feel confident because there is hope; you will look around and rest in safety.

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

19You will lie down with no one to frighten you, and many people will come to you for help.

20But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, And they shall have no way to flee; And their hope shall be the giving up of the ghost.

20But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no place to escape, and their only hope will be their last breath."