Job 11

Zophar’s First Response to Job

1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? +

3Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? +

4For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. +

5But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

6And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. +

7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? +

8It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? +

9The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? +

11For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? +

12For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt. +

13If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; +

14If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. +

15For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: +

16Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: +

17And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. +

18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

19Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. +

20But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. +