Chapter 11

Then answered⁴ Zophar the Naamathite, and said,⁴

Should not the multitude of words be answered?¹¹ and should a man full of talk be justified?⁴

Should thy lies make men hold their peace?⁵⁵ and when thou mockest,⁴ shall no man make thee ashamed?⁵⁶

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

But oh that⁴ God would speak,¹⁵ and open⁴ his lips against thee;

And that he would shew⁵⁵ thee the secrets of wisdom, that [they are] double to that which is! Know³ therefore that God exacteth⁵⁵ of thee [less] than thine iniquity [deserveth].

Canst thou by searching find out⁴ God? canst thou find out⁴ the Almighty unto perfection?

[It is] as high as heaven; what canst thou do?⁴ deeper than hell; what canst thou know?⁴

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

If he cut off,⁴ and shut up,⁵⁵ or gather together,⁵⁵ then who can hinder⁵⁵ him?

For he knoweth¹ vain men: he seeth⁴ wickedness also; will he not then consider¹¹³ [it]?

For vain⁷ man would be wise,¹¹ though man be born¹¹ [like] a wild ass's colt.

If thou prepare⁵² thine heart, and stretch out¹ thine hands toward him;

If iniquity [be] in thine hand, put it far away,⁵⁴ and let not wickedness dwell⁵⁵ in thy tabernacles.

For then shalt thou lift up⁴ thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast,⁹⁴ and shalt not fear:⁴

Because thou shalt forget⁴ [thy] misery, [and] remember⁴ [it] as waters [that] pass away:¹

And [thine] age shall be clearer⁴ than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth,⁴ thou shalt be as the morning.

And thou shalt be secure,¹ because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig¹ [about thee, and] thou shalt take thy rest⁴ in safety.

Also thou shalt lie down,¹ and none shall make [thee] afraid;⁵⁶ yea, many shall make suit¹⁴ unto thee.

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail,⁴ and they shall not escape,^{1 4498} and their hope [shall be as] the giving up of the ghost.