Job, 11

1. Zophar of Naamath spoke next. He said:

1. Then Zophar the Na'amathite answered:

2. Is babbling to go without an answer? Is wordiness a proof of uprightness?

2. "Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be vindicated?

3. Do you think your talking strikes people dumb, will you jeer with no one to refute you?

3. Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?

4. These were your words, 'My conduct is pure, in your eyes I am free of blame!'

4. For you say, `My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God's eyes.'

5. Will no one let God speak, open his lips and give you answer,

5. But oh, that God would speak, and open his lips to you,

6. show you the secrets of wisdom which put all cleverness to shame? Then you would realise that God is calling you to account for your sin.

6. and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.

7. Can you claim to fathom the depth of God, can you reach the limit of Shaddai?

7. "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?

8. It is higher than the heavens: what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol: what can you know?

8. It is higher than heaven -- what can you do? Deeper than Sheol -- what can you know?

9. It would be longer to measure than the earth and broader than the sea.

9. Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10. If he intervenes to close or convoke the assembly, who is to prevent him?

10. If he passes through, and imprisons, and calls to judgment, who can hinder him?

11. He knows how deceptive human beings are, and he sees their misdeeds too, and marks them well.

11. For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?

12. Hence empty-headed people would do well to study sense and people who behave like wild donkeys to let themselves be tamed.

12. But a stupid man will get understanding, when a wild ass's colt is born a man.

13. Come, reconsider your attitude, stretch out your hands towards him!

13. "If you set your heart aright, you will stretch out your hands toward him.

14. If you repudiate the sin which you have doubtless committed and do not allow wickedness to live on in your tents,

14. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tents.

15. you will be able to raise an unsullied face, unwavering and free from fear,

15. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear.

16. for you will forget about your misery, thinking of it only as a flood that passed long ago.

16. You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.

17. Then begins an existence more radiant than noon, and the very darkness will be bright as morning.

17. And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.

18. Confident because there is hope; after your troubles, you will sleep secure.

18. And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety.

19. When you lie down to rest, no one will trouble you, and many will seek your favour.

19. You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will entreat your favor.

20. But as for the wicked, their eyes are weary, there is no refuge for them; their only hope is to breathe their last.

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."