Job 11

New Century Version

² “Should these words go unanswered?
    Is this talker in the right?
³ Your lies do not make people quiet;
    people should correct you when you make fun of God.
⁴ You say, ‘My teachings are right,
    and I am clean in God’s sight.’
⁵ I wish God would speak
    and open his lips against you
⁶ and tell you the secrets of wisdom,
    because wisdom has two sides.
Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.

⁷ “Can you understand the secrets of God?
    Can you search the limits of the Almighty?
⁸ His limits are higher than the heavens; you cannot reach them!
    They are deeper than the grave; you cannot understand them!
⁹ His limits are longer than the earth
    and wider than the sea.

¹⁰ “If God comes along and puts you in prison
    or calls you into court, no one can stop him.
¹¹ God knows who is evil,
    and when he sees evil, he takes note of it.
¹² A fool cannot become wise
    any more than a wild donkey can be born tame.

¹³ “You must give your whole heart to him
    and hold out your hands to him for help.
¹⁴ Put away the sin that is in your hand;
    let no evil remain in your tent.
¹⁵ Then you can lift up your face without shame,
    and you can stand strong without fear.
¹⁶ You will forget your trouble
    and remember it only as water gone by.
¹⁷ Your life will be as bright as the noonday sun,
    and darkness will seem like morning.
¹⁸ You will feel safe because there is hope;
    you will look around and rest in safety.
¹⁹ You will lie down, and no one will scare you.
    Many people will want favors from you.
²⁰ But the wicked will not be able to see,
    so they will not escape.
    Their only hope will be to die.”