JOB 11 [†]Then  d Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

2 “Should  e a multitude of words go unanswered,

and a man full of talk be judged right?

3 Should your babble silence men,

and when you mock, shall no one shame you?

4 For  f you say, ‘My  g doctrine is pure,

and I am clean in God’s [1] eyes.’

5[†] But oh, that God would speak

and open his lips to you,

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

For he is manifold in  h understanding. [2]

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

7[†]  j “Can you find out the deep things of God?

Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?

8 It is  k higher than heaven [3]—what can you do?

Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

9 Its measure is longer than the earth

and broader than the sea.

10 If he  l passes through and  m imprisons

and summons the court, who can  n turn him back?

11 For he knows  o worthless men;

when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?

12[†] But a stupid man will get understanding

when  p a wild donkey’s colt is  q born a man!

13 “If you  r prepare your heart,

you will  s stretch out your hands toward him.

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

and let not injustice dwell in your tents.

15 Surely then you will  t lift up your face without  u blemish;

you will be secure and will not fear.

16 You will  v forget your misery;

you will remember it as waters that have passed away.

17[^] And your life will be  w brighter than the noonday;

its darkness will be like the morning.

18 And you will feel secure, because there is hope;

you will look around and  x take your rest in security.

19 You will  x lie down, and none will make you afraid;

many will  y court your favor.

20[†] But  z the eyes of the wicked will fail;

all way of escape will be lost to them,

and their hope is  a to breathe their last.”