Job 11

1Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:

1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified?

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

3Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others, shall no man confute thee?

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

4For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.

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

5And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,

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

6That 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.

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.

7Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?

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

8He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know?

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

9The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

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

10If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?

10If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

11For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it?

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

12A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass's colt.

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

13But thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.

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

14If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and let not injustice remain in thy tabernacle:

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

15Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.

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

16Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away.

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

17And 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.

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

18And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure.

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

19Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face.

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

20But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul.

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.