The Book of Job

⭑ Berean Study Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

⮜ Back | Contents | Next ⮞

- Chapter 11 -

Zophar urges Job to repent

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?

Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?

You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’

But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,

and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.

Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?

Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?

But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!(a)

As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,

if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,

then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid.

For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.

Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.

You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.

You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.

But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”

Footnotes

(a)11:12 Or can be born tame

Zophar urges Job to repent

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,

that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol.(a) What can you know?

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

If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.

Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.

You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.

Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.

But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”

Footnotes

(a)11:8 Sheol is the place of the dead.