God's New Revelations

The Book of Job

Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 11 -

Zophar urges Job to repent

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Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:
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Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified?
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Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others, shall no man confute thee?
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For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.
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And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,
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That he might shew thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his law is manifold, and thou mightest understand that he exacteth much less of thee, than thy iniquity deserveth.
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Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?
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He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know?
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The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
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If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?
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For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it?
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A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass’s colt.
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Rut thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.
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If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and lot not injustice remain in thy tabernacle:
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Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.
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Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away.
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And brightness like that of the noonday, shall arise to thee at evening: and when thou shalt think thyself consumed, thou shalt rise as the day star.
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And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure.
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Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face.
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But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul.

Zophar urges Job to repent

1
Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
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“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
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Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
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For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’
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But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,
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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.
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“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
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They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol.(a) What can you know?
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Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
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If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
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For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
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An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
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“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.
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If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
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Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,
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for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
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Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
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You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
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Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.
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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.