Job 11

Zophar’s First Response to Job

1 ThenHebrew "And" Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

2 "Should an abundance of words go unanswered,

or a man full of talkLiterally "a man of lips" be vindicated?Hebrew "should he be vindicated"

3 Should your loose talk put people to silence?

And when you mock, shall no one put you to shame?Literally "And you will mock there is not putting to shame"

4 For you say, ‘My teaching is pure,

and I am clean in your sight.’

5 But,Hebrew "And but" O thatLiterally "who shall give" God might speak,

and that he would open his lips to you,

6 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,

for insight has many sides.Literally "double to sound wisdom"

And know that God on your behalfLiterally "for you" has forgotten some ofLiterally "from" your guilt.

7 "Can you find out the essence of God,

or can you find out the ultimate limitsLiterally "up to the limit" of Shaddai?

8 It is higher than the heaven;Literally "heights of heaven" what can you do?

It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know?

9 Its measure is longer than the earth

and broader than the sea.

10 "If he passes through and imprisons someoneHebrew "and he imprisons"

and summons the assembly,Literally "and he summons" thenHebrew "and" who can hinder him?

11 For he knows those who are worthless;Literally "men of worthlessness"

when he seesLiterally "And he will see" iniquity, he will not consider it.Literally "and he will not consider"

12 ButHebrew "And" an empty-headed personLiterally "a man hollowed out" will get understanding

whenHebrew "and" a wild donkey’s colt is born as a human being.

13 "If you yourselfEmphatic personal pronoun direct your heart

and stretch out your hands to him—

14 if iniquitySee v. 11, where the same word is used is in your hand, put it far away,

and you must not let wickedness reside in your tents—

15 surely then you will lift up your face withoutHebrew "from" blemish,

and you will be firmly established and will not fear.Hebrew "and not will you fear"

16 For you yourselfEmphatic personal pronoun will forget your misery;

you will remember it as water that has flowed past.

17 "And your life will be brighter than noon;Literally "And from noon lifespan will arise"

its darkness will be like the morning.

18 And you will have confidence because there is hope;

and you will be well protected—you will sleep in safety.Literally "you will lie down securely"

19 And you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid;Literally "there is not making afraid"

and many will entreat your favor.Literally "and they will appease/implore your faces many"

20 ButHebrew "And" the eyes of the wicked will fail;

and refuge will be lost to them,

and their hope is to breathe their last breath."Literally "the expiring of soul"