Job 11
World English Bible
11 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
2 “Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered?
Should a man full of talk be justified?
3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace?
When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure.
I am clean in your eyes.’
5 But oh that God would speak,
and open his lips against you,
6 that he would show you the secrets of wisdom!
For true wisdom has two sides.
Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
7 “Can you fathom the mystery of God?
Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
8 They are high as heaven. What can you do?
They are deeper than Sheol.[a] What can you know?
9 Its measure is longer than the earth,
and broader than the sea.
10 If he passes by, or confines,
or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
11 For he knows false men.
He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
12 An empty-headed man becomes wise
when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
13 “If you set your heart aright,
stretch out your hands toward him.
14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away.
Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
15 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot;
Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear:
16 for you will forget your misery.
You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
17 Life will be clearer than the noonday.
Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
18 You will be secure, because there is hope.
Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
19 Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid.
Yes, many will court your favor.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail.
They will have no way to flee.
Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”
Footnotes
- 11:8 Sheol is the place of the dead.
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)
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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.