Job 11 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

Zophar Speaks: You Deserve Worse

Job 11:1

Job 11:1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

Job 11:2

Job 11:2“Should a multitude of words go unanswered,
and a man full of talk be judged right?

Job 11:3

Job 11:3Should your babble silence men,
and when you mock, shall no one shame you?

Job 11:4

Job 11:4For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,
and I am clean in God’s[fn] eyes.’

Job 11:5

Job 11:5But oh, that God would speak
and open his lips to you,

Job 11:6

Job 11:6and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
For he is manifold in understanding.[fn]
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.

Job 11:7

Job 11:7“Can you find out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?

Job 11:8

Job 11:8It is higher than heaven[fn]—what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

Job 11:9

Job 11:9Its measure is longer than the earth
and broader than the sea.

Job 11:10

Job 11:10If he passes through and imprisons
and summons the court, who can turn him back?

Job 11:11

Job 11:11For he knows worthless men;
when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?

Job 11:12

Job 11:12But a stupid man will get understanding
when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man!

Job 11:13

Job 11:13“If you prepare your heart,
you will stretch out your hands toward him.

Job 11:14

Job 11:14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
and let not injustice dwell in your tents.

Job 11:15

Job 11:15Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
you will be secure and will not fear.

Job 11:16

Job 11:16You will forget your misery;
you will remember it as waters that have passed away.

Job 11:17

Job 11:17And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
its darkness will be like the morning.

Job 11:18

Job 11:18And you will feel secure, because there is hope;
you will look around and take your rest in security.

Job 11:19

Job 11:19You will lie down, and none will make you afraid;
many will court your favor.

Job 11:20

Job 11:20But the eyes of the wicked will fail;
all way of escape will be lost to them,
and their hope is to breathe their last.”

See the ESV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

ESV Footnotes

(11:4)

Hebrew your

(11:6)

The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

(11:8)

Hebrew The heights of heaven

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For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.