Job 11

Zophar’s First Response to Job

1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,[#Hebrew “And”]

2“Should an abundance of words go unanswered,

or a man full of talk be vindicated?

3Should your loose talk put people to silence?

And when you mock, shall no one put you to shame?

4For you say, ‘My teaching is pure,

and I am clean in your sight.’

5But, O that God might speak,[#Hebrew “And but”; #Literally “who shall give”]

and that he would open his lips to you,

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

for insight has many sides.

And know that God on your behalf has forgotten some of your guilt.

7“Can you find out the essence of God,

or can you find out the ultimate limits of Shaddai?

8It is higher than the heaven; what can you do?[#Literally “heights of heaven”]

It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know?

9Its measure is longer than the earth

and broader than the sea.

10“If he passes through and imprisons someone[#Hebrew “and he imprisons”]

and summons the assembly, then who can hinder him?

11For he knows those who are worthless;[#Literally “men of worthlessness”]

when he sees iniquity, he will not consider it.

12But an empty-headed person will get understanding[#Hebrew “And”; #Literally “a man hollowed out”]

when a wild donkey’s colt is born as a human being.

13“If you yourself direct your heart[#Emphatic personal pronoun]

and stretch out your hands to him—

14if iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,[#See v. 11, where the same word is used]

and you must not let wickedness reside in your tents—

15surely then you will lift up your face without blemish,[#Hebrew “from”]

and you will be firmly established and will not fear.

16For you yourself will forget your misery;[#Emphatic personal pronoun]

you will remember it as water that has flowed past.

17“And your life will be brighter than noon;[#Literally “And from noon lifespan will arise”]

its darkness will be like the morning.

18And you will have confidence because there is hope;

and you will be well protected—you will sleep in safety.

19And you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid;[#Literally “there is not making afraid”]

and many will entreat your favor.

20But the eyes of the wicked will fail;[#Hebrew “And”]

and refuge will be lost to them,

and their hope is to breathe their last breath.”

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Published by: Logos Bible Software