Job 11

1 Zophar from Naamath had this to say:ISV — Job 11:1

2 “Shouldn’t a multitude of words be answered, or a person who talks too much ^{a11:2 Or a talker} be vindicated?ISV — Job 11:2

3 Will your irrational babble silence people, and when you mock them, will you escape without being shamed? ^{b11:3 MT has without being humiliated}ISV — Job 11:3

4 You’ve said, ‘My teaching is flawless; I’m clean ^{c11:4 Or pure} in God’s ^{d11:4 Lit. your} sight.’ISV — Job 11:4

5 “But what if God were to speak? What if he were ^{e11:5 The Heb. lacks What if he were} to talk ^{f11:5 Lit. open his lips against} with you,ISV — Job 11:5

6 and disclose his wise secrets? After all, there’s so much more ^{g11:6 Lit. double} to understanding. So be aware that God will exact from you less than your sin deserves.”ISV — Job 11:6

7 “Can you search through God’s complex things? Can you uncover the limits of the Almighty?ISV — Job 11:7

8 These things are higher than the heavens, so what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol, ^{h11:8 i.e. the place where the dead are in the afterlife} so what can you know?ISV — Job 11:8

9 They are longer than the earth’s circumference, ^{i11:9 Lit. measure} and broader than the ocean.ISV — Job 11:9

10 “If he bypasses, or imprisons, or convenes a court, ^{j11:10 The Heb. lacks a court} who can stop ^{k11:10 Or repel} him?ISV — Job 11:10

11 For he knows mankind’s ^{l11:11 Lit. men} deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won’t he himself consider it?ISV — Job 11:11

12 An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!”ISV — Job 11:12

13 “Now for you, if you will prepare your heart, spread out your hands to him.ISV — Job 11:13

14 If you have any iniquity, throw it far away. Don’t let evil ^{m11:14 Or wrong} live in your residence. ^{n11:14 Lit. tents}ISV — Job 11:14

15 Then your confidence will be flawless, and your security will keep you from terror.ISV — Job 11:15

16 You’ll forget your suffering; you’ll remember it like water that has evaporated. ^{o11:16 Or has flowed past}ISV — Job 11:16

17 Your life will be brighter than noonday. Even its darkness will be like dawn.ISV — Job 11:17

18 You’ll be secure, because there is hope; you’ll see that you’re at rest and safe.ISV — Job 11:18

19 When you sleep, there’ll be nothing to fear; and many will court your favor. ^{p11:19 Lit. face}ISV — Job 11:19

20 But what the wicked look for will fail; their way of escape will be taken away ^{q11:20 Lit. destroyed} from them; their only hope is to take their final breath.” ^{r11:20 Lit. is to breathe out their soul}ISV — Job 11:20