Job 11

1. Next Tzofar the Na‘amati spoke up:

2. “Shouldn’t this torrent of words be answered? 2 Does talking a lot make a person right?

3. Is your babble supposed to put others to silence? 3 When you mock, is no one to make you ashamed?

4. “You claim that your teaching is pure; 4 you tell [God], ‘I am clean in your sight.’

5. I wish that God would speak, 5 would open his mouth to answer you,

6. would tell you the secrets of wisdom, 6 which is worth twice as much as common sense. 6 Understand that God is demanding of you 6 less than your guilt deserves.

7. “Can you penetrate God’s depths? 7 Can you find out Shaddai’s limits?

8. They’re as high as heaven; what can you do? 8 They’re deeper than Sh’ol; what can you know?

9. Their extent is longer than the earth 9 and broader than the sea.

10. If he passes through, puts in prison 10 and assembles [for judgment], who can prevent him?

11. For he knows when people are worthless; 11 so if he sees iniquity, won’t he look into it?

12. “An empty man can gain understanding, 12 even if he was born like a wild donkey.

13. If you will set your heart right, 13 if you will spread out your hands toward him,

14. if you will put your iniquity at a distance 14 and not let unrighteousness remain in your tents,

15. then when you lift up your face, there will be no defect; 15 you will be firm and free from fear.

16. “For you will forget your misery; 16 you’ll remember it like a flood that passed through long ago;

17. your life will be brighter than noon; 17 even its darkness will be like morning.

18. You will be confident, because there is hope; 18 you will look around you and lie down secure;

19. you will rest, and no one will make you afraid. 19 Many will seek your favor;

20. but the eyes of the wicked will fail [to find comfort]. 20 They will find no way to escape, 20 and their hope will turn to complete disappointment.”