Job 11
Christian Standard Bible
Zophar Speaks
11 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
2 Should this abundance of words(A) go unanswered
and such a talker[a] be acquitted?
3 Should your babbling put others to silence,
so that you can keep on ridiculing
with no one to humiliate you?
4 You have said, “My teaching(B) is sound,
and I am pure in your sight.”
5 But if only God would speak
and open his lips against you!
6 He would show you the secrets of wisdom,(C)
for true wisdom has two sides.
Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your iniquity.(D)
7 Can you fathom the depths of God
or discover the limits of the Almighty?(E)
8 They are higher than the heavens—what can you do?
They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?(F)
9 Their measure is longer than the earth
and wider than the sea.
10 If he passes by and throws someone in prison
or convenes a court, who can stop him?(G)
11 Surely he knows which people are worthless.
If he sees iniquity, will he not take note of it?(H)
12 But a stupid person will gain understanding
as soon as a wild donkey is born a human!
13 As for you, if you redirect your heart
and spread out your hands to him in prayer—
14 if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it,
and don’t allow injustice to dwell in your tents—
15 then you will hold your head high, free from fault.
You will be firmly established and unafraid.(I)
16 For you will forget your suffering,
recalling it only as water that has flowed by.
17 Your life will be brighter than noonday;
its darkness[b] will be like the morning.(J)
18 You will be confident, because there is hope.(K)
You will look carefully about and lie down in safety.(L)
Job 11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Zophar Speaks: Job’s Guilt Deserves Punishment
11 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 “Should a multitude of words go unanswered,
and should one full of talk be vindicated?(A)
3 Should your babble put others to silence,
and when you mock, shall no one shame you?(B)
4 For you say, ‘My conduct[a] is pure,
and I am clean in God’s[b] sight.’(C)
5 But O that God would speak
and open his lips to you
6 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
For wisdom is many-sided.[c]
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.(D)
7 “Can you find out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?[d](E)
8 It is higher than heaven[e]—what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?(F)
9 Its measure is longer than the earth
and broader than the sea.
10 If he passes through and imprisons
and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him?(G)
11 For he knows those who are worthless;
when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?(H)
12 But the stupid will get understanding
when a wild ass is born human.[f]
13 “If you direct your heart rightly,
you will stretch out your hands toward him.(I)
14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.(J)
15 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
you will be secure and will not fear.(K)
16 You will forget your misery;
you will remember it as waters that have passed away.(L)
17 And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
its darkness will be like the morning.(M)
18 And you will have confidence because there is hope;
you will be protected[g] and take your rest in safety.(N)
19 You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid;
many will entreat your favor.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail;
all way of escape will be lost to them,
and their hope is to breathe their last.”(O)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.