Job 11:2–6

“Should a multitude of words go unanswered,

and a man full of talk be judged right?

Should your babble silence men,

and when you mock, shall no one shame you?

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,

and I am clean in God’s eyes.’

But oh, that God would speak

and open his lips to you,

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.

“Are all these words to go unanswered?

Is this talker to be vindicated?

Will your idle talk reduce others to silence?

Will no one rebuke you when you mock?

You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless

and I am pure in your sight.’

Oh, how I wish that God would speak,

that he would open his lips against you

and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom,

for true wisdom has two sides.

Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.

Should this abundance of words go unanswered

and such a talker be acquitted?

Should your babbling put others to silence,

so that you can keep on ridiculing

with no one to humiliate you?

You have said, “My teaching is sound,

and I am pure in your sight.”

But if only God would speak

and open his lips against you!

He would show you the secrets of wisdom,

for true wisdom has two sides.

Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your iniquity.

“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words?

Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?

Should I remain silent while you babble on?

When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?

You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’

and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’

If only God would speak;

if only he would tell you what he thinks!

If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,

for true wisdom is not a simple matter.

Listen! God is doubtless punishing you

far less than you deserve!

“Should an abundance of words go unanswered,

or a man full of talk be vindicated?

Should your loose talk put people to silence?

And when you mock, shall no one put you to shame?

For you say, ‘My teaching is pure,

and I am clean in your sight.’

But, O that God might speak,

and that he would open his lips to you,

and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,

for insight has many sides.

And know that God on your behalf has forgotten some of your guilt.

Should not the multitude of words be answered?

And should a man full of talk be justified?

Should thy lies make men hold their peace?

And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure,

And I am clean in thine eyes.

But oh that God would speak,

And open his lips against thee;

And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom,

That they are double to that which is!

Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.