Job 11

¹ Zophar of Naamath spoke next. He said:

² Is babbling to go without an answer? Is wordiness in man a proof of right?

³ Do you think your talking strikes men dumb, will you jeer with no one to refute you?

⁴ These were your words, ‘My way of life is faultless, and all your eyes I am free from blame’.

⁵ But if God had a mind to speak, to open his lips and give you answer,

⁶ were he to show you the secrets of wisdom which put all cleverness to shame – you would know it is for sin he calls you to account.

⁷ Can you claim to grasp the mystery of God, to understand the perfection of Shaddai?

⁸ It is higher than the heavens: what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol: what can you know?

⁹ Its length is longer than the earth, its breadth is broader than the sea.

¹⁰ If he passes, who can stop him, or make him yield once he has seized?

¹¹ For he detects the worthlessness in man, he sees iniquity and marks it well.

¹² And so the idiot grows wise, thus a young wild donkey grows tame.

¹³ Come, you must set your heart right, stretch out your hands to him.

¹⁴ Renounce the iniquity that stains your hands, let no injustice live within your tents.

¹⁵ Then you may face the world in innocence, unwavering and free from fear.

¹⁶ You will forget your sufferings, remember them as waters that have passed away.

¹⁷ Your life, more radiant than the noonday, will make a dawn of darkness.

¹⁸ Full of hope, you will live secure, dwelling well and safely guarded.

¹⁹ No one will dare disturb you, and many a man will seek your favour.

²⁰ But the wicked will look round with weary eyes, and finding no escape, the only hope they have is life’s last breath.