Job 11

Job 11

Zophar Speaks: Job’s Guilt Deserves Punishment

1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:

2“Should a multitude of words go unanswered,[#Job 8.2]

and should one full of talk be vindicated?

3Should your babble put others to silence,[#Job 17.2; 21.3; Jas 3.5]

and when you mock, shall no one shame you?

4For you say, ‘My conduct is pure,[#Job 6.14; 10.7; #11.4 Gk: Heb teaching]

and I am clean in God’s sight.’

5But O that God would speak

and open his lips to you

6and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom![#Ezra 9.13; Job 28.21]

For wisdom is many-sided.

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

7“Can you find out the deep things of God?[#Eccl 3.11; Rom 11.33]

Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?

8It is higher than heaven—what can you do?[#Job 17.16; 22.12; #11.8 Heb The heights of heaven]

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[#Job 9.12; Rev 3.7]

and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him?

11For he knows those who are worthless;[#Job 34.21–25; Ps 10.14]

when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?

12But the stupid will get understanding

when a wild ass is born human.

13“If you direct your heart rightly,[#Ps 78.8; 88.9]

you will stretch out your hands toward him.

14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,[#Job 22.23; Ps 101.3]

and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.

15Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;[#Ps 27.3; 1 Jn 3.21]

you will be secure and will not fear.

16You will forget your misery;[#Isa 65.16]

you will remember it as waters that have passed away.

17And your life will be brighter than the noonday;[#Ps 37.6; 112.4; Isa 58.8, 10]

its darkness will be like the morning.

18And you will have confidence because there is hope;[#Ps 3.5; Prov 3.24]

you will be protected 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;[#Deut 28.65; Jer 15.9]

all way of escape will be lost to them,

and their hope is to breathe their last.”

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ