Job 11

Zophar Speaks to Job

11Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:

²“Should these words go unanswered?

Is this talker in the right?

³Your lies do not make people quiet;

people should correct you when you make fun of God.

⁴You say, ‘My teachings are right,

and I am clean in God’s sight.’

⁵I wish God would speak

and open his lips against you

⁶and tell you the secrets of wisdom,

because wisdom has two sides.

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

⁷“Can you understand the secrets of God?

Can you search the limits of the Almighty?

⁸His limits are higher than the heavens; you cannot reach them!

They are deeper than the grave; you cannot understand them!

⁹His limits are longer than the earth

and wider than the sea.

¹⁰“If God comes along and puts you in prison

or calls you into court, no one can stop him.

¹¹God knows who is evil,

and when he sees evil, he takes note of it.

¹²A fool cannot become wise

any more than a wild donkey can be born tame.

¹³“You must give your whole heart to him

and hold out your hands to him for help.

¹⁴Put away the sin that is in your hand;

let no evil remain in your tent.

¹⁵Then you can lift up your face without shame,

and you can stand strong without fear.

¹⁶You will forget your trouble

and remember it only as water gone by.

¹⁷Your life will be as bright as the noonday sun,

and darkness will seem like morning.

¹⁸You will feel safe because there is hope;

you will look around and rest in safety.

¹⁹You will lie down, and no one will scare you.

Many people will want favors from you.

²⁰But the wicked will not be able to see,

so they will not escape.

Their only hope will be to die.”