Job

The book of Job, chapter 11, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 11 New English Translation

Zophar's First Speech to Job

   1 Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke up and said:
   2 "Should not this abundance of words be answered, or should this talkative man be vindicated?
   3 Will your idle talk reduce people to silence, and will no one rebuke you when you mock?
   4 For you have said, 'My teaching is flawless, and I am pure in your sight.'
   5 But if only God would speak, if only he would open his lips against you,
   6 and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom - for true wisdom has two sides - so that you would know that God has forgiven some of your sins.
   7 "Can you discover the essence of God? Can you find out the perfection of the Almighty?
   8 It is higher than the heavens - what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol - what can you know?
   9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
   10 If he comes by and confines you and convenes a court, then who can prevent him?
   11 For he knows deceitful men; when he sees evil, will he not consider it?
   12 But an empty man will become wise, when a wild donkey's colt is born a human being.
   13 "As for you, if you prove faithful, and if you stretch out your hands toward him,
   14 if iniquity is in your hand - put it far away, and do not let evil reside in your tents.
   15 For then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be securely established and will not fear.
   16 For you will forget your trouble; you will remember it like water that has flowed away.
   17 And life will be brighter than the noonday; though there be darkness, it will be like the morning.
   18 And you will be secure, because there is hope; you will be protected and will take your rest in safety.
   19 You will lie down with no one to make you afraid, and many will seek your favor.
   20 But the eyes of the wicked fail, and escape eludes them; their one hope is to breathe their last."

King James Version

   1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
   2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
   3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
   4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
   5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
   6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
   7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
   8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
   9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
   10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
   11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
   12 For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
   13 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
   14 If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
   15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
   16 Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
   17 And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
   18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
   19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
   20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.