Job 11

Zophar Speaks: Job’s Guilt Deserves Punishment

¹¹Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:

²“Should a multitude of words go unanswered,

and should one full of talk be vindicated?^*

³Should your babble put others to silence,

and when you mock, shall no one shame you?^*

⁴For you say, ‘My conduct^y is pure,

and I am clean in God’s^z sight.’^*

⁵But O that God would speak

and open his lips to you

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

For wisdom is many-sided.^a

Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.^*

⁷“Can you find out the deep things of God?

Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?^b*

⁸It is higher than heaven^c—what can you do?

Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?^*

⁹Its measure is longer than the earth

and broader than the sea.

¹⁰If he passes through and imprisons

and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him?^*

¹¹For he knows those who are worthless;

when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?^*

¹²But the stupid will get understanding

when a wild ass is born human.^d

¹³“If you direct your heart rightly,

you will stretch out your hands toward him.^*

¹⁴If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,

and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.^*

¹⁵Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;

you will be secure and will not fear.^*

¹⁶You will forget your misery;

you will remember it as waters that have passed away.^*

¹⁷And your life will be brighter than the noonday;

its darkness will be like the morning.^*

¹⁸And you will have confidence because there is hope;

you will be protected^e and take your rest in safety.^*

¹⁹You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid;

many will entreat your favor.

²⁰But the eyes of the wicked will fail;

all way of escape will be lost to them,

and their hope is to breathe their last.”^*