Job 11
Expanded Bible
Zophar Speaks to Job
11 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 “Should ·these [L such a large number of] words go unanswered?
·Is this talker in the right [or Should a talkative man be declared righteous]?
3 Your ·lies [L empty words] do not make people quiet;
people should ·correct [L shame] you when you ·make fun of God [L mock].
4 You ·say [claim], ‘My teachings are ·right [L pure],
and I am clean in ·God’s sight [L your eyes].’
5 I wish God would speak
and open his ·lips [L mouth] against you
6 and tell you the secrets of wisdom,
because ·wisdom [resourcefulness] has ·two [or many] sides.
Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin [C he has been tolerant of Job’s sin].
7 “Can you ·understand [L discover] the ·secrets [L deep things] of God?
Can you ·search [L discover] the limits of ·the Almighty [Shaddai]?
8 His limits are higher than the heavens; ·you cannot reach them [L what can you do]!
They are deeper than ·the grave [L Sheol]; you cannot understand them!
9 His limits are longer than the earth
and wider than the sea.
10 “If God ·comes along [L passes by] and puts you in prison
or ·calls you into court [L assembles for judgment], ·no one can stop him [L who can turn him back?].
11 God knows who is ·evil [worthless],
and when he sees ·evil [or an evil person], ·he takes [L does he not take…?] note of it.
12 A ·fool [L empty-headed person] cannot ·become wise [get understanding]
any more than a wild donkey can ·be born tame [or give birth to a human; C Zophar insults Job’s wisdom].
13 “You must ·give your whole heart to him [focus your heart]
and ·hold [spread] out your hands to him for help.
14 ·Put away [Remove] the sin that is in your hand;
let no ·evil [iniquity] ·remain [L take up residence] in your tent [C Zophar urges Job to repent].
15 Then you can lift up your face without ·shame [L blemish],
and you can ·stand strong [L be secure] without fear.
16 You will forget your trouble
and remember it only as water ·gone by [running away].
17 Your life will be ·as bright as [brighter than] the noonday sun,
and darkness will seem like morning.
18 You will ·feel safe [be secure] because there is hope;
you will ·look around [explore] and ·rest [L lie down] in safety.
19 You will lie down, and ·no one will scare you [L not tremble with fear].
Many people will want favors from you.
20 But the ·wicked will not be able to see [L eyes of the wicked will fail],
so ·they will not escape [L their escape route will be lost to them].
Their only ·hope [expectation] will be to die.”
Job 11
New King James Version
Zophar Urges Job to Repent
11 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
2 “Should not the multitude of words be answered?
And should [a]a man full of talk be vindicated?
3 Should your empty talk make men [b]hold their peace?
And when you mock, should no one rebuke you?
4 For you have said,
(A)‘My doctrine is pure,
And 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 they would double your prudence.
Know therefore that (B)God [c]exacts from you
Less than your iniquity deserves.
7 “Can(C) you search out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?
8 They are higher than heaven—what can you do?
Deeper than [d]Sheol—what can you know?
9 Their measure is longer than the earth
And broader than the sea.
10 “If(D) He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment,
Then who can [e]hinder Him?
11 For (E)He knows deceitful men;
He sees wickedness also.
Will He not then consider it?
12 For an (F)empty-headed man will be wise,
When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.
13 “If you would (G)prepare your heart,
And (H)stretch out your hands toward Him;
14 If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away,
And (I)would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;
15 (J)Then surely you could lift up your face without spot;
Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;
16 Because you would (K)forget your misery,
And remember it as waters that have passed away,
17 And your life (L)would be brighter than noonday.
Though you were dark, you would be like the morning.
18 And you would be secure, because there is hope;
Yes, you would dig around you, and (M)take your rest in safety.
19 You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid;
Yes, many would court your favor.
20 But (N)the eyes of the wicked will fail,
And they shall not escape,
And (O)their hope—[f]loss of life!”
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
