Chapter 11

¹Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

²“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered?

Should a man full of talk be justified?

³Should your boastings make men hold their peace?

When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

⁴For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,

I am clean in your eyes.’

⁵But oh that God would speak,

And open his lips against you,

⁶That 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.

⁷“Can you fathom the mystery of God?

Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

⁸They are high as heaven. What can you do?

Deeper than Sheol: what can you know?

⁹The measure of it is longer than the earth,

And broader than the sea.

¹⁰If he passes by, or confines,

Or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

¹¹For he knows false men.

He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

¹²But vain man can become wise

If a man can be born as a wild donkey’s colt.

¹³“If you set your heart aright,

Stretch out your hands toward him.

¹⁴If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,

Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

¹⁵Surely then shall you lift up your face without spot;

Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

¹⁶For you shall forget your misery;

You shall remember it as waters that are passed away,

¹⁷Life shall be clearer than the noonday;

Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning.

¹⁸You shall be secure, because there is hope;

Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.

¹⁹Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid;

Yes, many shall court your favor.

²⁰But the eyes of the wicked shall fail,

They shall have no way to flee;

Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit.”