Job 11 WBT
Summary: Zophar the Naamathite gives the harshest of the first-round speeches, rebuking Job's many words as babble and accusing him of mocking others without being put to shame himself, insisting that Job actually deserves worse punishment than he has received, since God exacts less than his guilt deserves. Zophar asks whether Job can fathom the deep things of God, which are higher than heaven and deeper than Sheol, and wider than the earth and sea, implying Job's ignorance of the full picture. He urges Job to put away sin, stretch out his hands to God, and forget his misery, promising that Job's life would then become brighter than noonday, secure and free from fear, while the wicked have no such hope of escape.
1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
3Should thy falsehoods make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
4For thou hast said, My doctrine [is] pure, and I am clean in thy eyes.
5But Oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
6And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom, that [they are] double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee [less] than thy iniquity [deserveth].
7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?
8[It is] as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
9The measure of it [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10If he shall cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
11For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider [it]?
12For vain man would be wise, though man is born [like] a wild ass's colt.
13If thou preparest thy heart, and stretchest out thy hands towards him;
14If iniquity [is] in thy hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
15For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yes, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear:
16Because thou shalt forget [thy] misery, [and] remember [it] as waters [that] pass away:
17And [thy] age shall be clearer than the noon-day: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yes, thou shalt dig [about thee], [and] thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
19Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make [thee] afraid; yes, many shall make suit to thee.
20But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the expiration of the breath.
Also read this chapter in: KJV, WEB, ASV, WYC, GNV, DBY, YLT