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11 Then Zophar (the) Naamathite answered, and said,

Whether he, that speaketh many things, shall not also hear? either a man full of words shall be made just? (Shall he, who saith many things, not also listen? or is a man so full of words always right, or correct?)

Shall men be still to thee alone? and when thou hast scorned other men, shalt thou not be overcome of any man? (Shall people hold their peace for thee alone? and when thou hast scorned other people, shalt thou not be rebuked by anyone?)

For thou saidest, My word is clean, and I am clean in thy sight.

And I would (And I wish), that God spake with thee, and opened his lips to thee;

to show to thee the privates of wisdom, and that his law is manyfold, and thou shouldest then understand, that thou art required of God to pay much less things, than thy wickedness deserveth. (to show thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his Law is manifold, and then thou wouldest understand, that thou art required by God to pay much less, than thy wickedness deserveth.)

In hap thou shalt comprehend the steps of God, and thou shalt find Almighty God unto perfection. (Perhaps thou shalt be able to comprehend the steps of God, and thou shalt discover the perfection of Almighty God!)

He is higher than heaven, and what shalt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and whereof shalt thou know? (It is higher than heaven, so what shalt thou do? it is deeper than Sheol, or hell, so what shalt thou know?)

His measure is longer than the earth (Its measurement is wider than the earth), and broader than the sea.

10 If he destroyeth all things, either driveth them straitly into one, who shall against-say him? (who shall say against him?) Either who may say to him, Why doest thou so?

11 For he knoweth the vanity of men; and whether he seeing, beholdeth not wickedness? (For he knoweth the emptiness, and futility, of some people’s lives; and when he seeth wickedness, shall he not assay it?/and when he looketh, shall he not see their wickedness?)

12 A vain man is raised (up) into pride; and he guesseth himself born free, as the colt of a wild ass (like the colt of a wild donkey).

13 But thou hast made steadfast thine heart, and hast spread abroad thine hands to him.

14 If thou doest away from thee the wickedness, that is in thine hand, and if unrightwiseness dwelleth not in thy tabernacle (and if unrighteousness dwelleth not in thy home),

15 then thou shalt raise up thy face without wem, and thou shalt be steadfast, and thou shalt not dread. (then thou shalt raise up thy face without blemish, or without fault, and thou shalt be strong, and thou shalt not have fear.)

16 And thou shalt forget (thy) wretchedness, and thou shalt not think of it, as of waters that have passed. (And thou shalt forget thy wretchedness, and thou shalt not think of it any more, like water that hath passed by, and is forgotten.)

17 And as midday shining, it shall raise (up) to thee at eventide; and when thou guessest thee (to be) wasted, thou shalt rise up as the day star. (And thy life shall shine forth, like the noonday sun; and when thou thinkest thyself to be destroyed, thou shalt rise up like the day star.)

18 And thou shalt have trust, while hope shall be set forth to thee; and thou buried shalt sleep securely (and thou shalt lie down in safety and security).

19 Thou shalt rest, and none shall be that shall make thee afeared; and full many men shall beseech thy face.

20 But the eyes of wicked men shall fail; and succor shall perish from them, and the hope of them shall be abomination of soul. (But the eyes of the wicked shall fail; and succor shall perish from them, and their only hope shall be their despair.)

Zophar

11 Then Zophar the Naamathite(A) replied:

“Are all these words to go unanswered?(B)
    Is this talker to be vindicated?(C)
Will your idle talk(D) reduce others to silence?
    Will no one rebuke you when you mock?(E)
You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless(F)
    and I am pure(G) in your sight.’
Oh, how I wish that God would speak,(H)
    that he would open his lips against you
and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom,(I)
    for true wisdom has two sides.
    Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.(J)

“Can you fathom(K) the mysteries of God?
    Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
They are higher(L) than the heavens(M) above—what can you do?
    They are deeper than the depths below(N)—what can you know?(O)
Their measure(P) is longer than the earth
    and wider than the sea.(Q)

10 “If he comes along and confines you in prison
    and convenes a court, who can oppose him?(R)
11 Surely he recognizes deceivers;
    and when he sees evil, does he not take note?(S)
12 But the witless can no more become wise
    than a wild donkey’s colt(T) can be born human.[a](U)

13 “Yet if you devote your heart(V) to him
    and stretch out your hands(W) to him,(X)
14 if you put away(Y) the sin that is in your hand
    and allow no evil(Z) to dwell in your tent,(AA)
15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;(AB)
    you will stand firm(AC) and without fear.(AD)
16 You will surely forget your trouble,(AE)
    recalling it only as waters gone by.(AF)
17 Life will be brighter than noonday,(AG)
    and darkness will become like morning.(AH)
18 You will be secure, because there is hope;
    you will look about you and take your rest(AI) in safety.(AJ)
19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,(AK)
    and many will court your favor.(AL)
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail,(AM)
    and escape will elude them;(AN)
    their hope will become a dying gasp.”(AO)

Footnotes

  1. Job 11:12 Or wild donkey can be born tame