Job 11

1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

1Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.