11:1 THEN ZOPHAR the Naamathite replied, |
11:2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk [and making such great professions] be pronounced free from guilt {or} blame? |
11:3 Should your boastings {and} babble make men keep silent? And when you mock {and} scoff, shall no man make you ashamed? |
11:4 For you have said, My doctrine [that God afflicts the righteous knowingly] is pure, and I am clean in [God's] eyes. |
11:5 But oh, that God would speak, and open His lips against you, |
11:6 And that He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For He is manifold in understanding! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your guilt {and} iniquity [deserve]. |
11:7 Can you find out the deep things of God, or can you by searching find out the limits of the Almighty [explore His depths, ascend to His heights, extend to His breadths, and comprehend His infinite perfection]? |
11:8 His wisdom is as high as the heights of heaven! What can you do? It is deeper than Sheol (the place of the dead)! What can you know? |
11:9 Longer in measure [and scope] is it than the earth, and broader than the sea. |
11:10 If [God] sweeps in and arrests and calls into judgment, who can hinder Him? [If He is against a man, who shall call Him to account for it?] |
11:11 For He recognizes {and} knows hollow, wicked, {and} useless men (men of falsehood); when He sees iniquity, will He not consider it? |
11:12 But a stupid man will get wisdom [only] when a wild donkey's colt is born a man [as when he thinks himself free because he is lifted up in pride]. |
11:13 If you set your heart aright and stretch out your hands to [God], |
11:14 If you put sin out of your hand {and} far away from you and let not evil dwell in your tents; |
11:15 Then can you lift up your face to Him without stain [of sin, and unashamed]; yes, you shall be steadfast {and} secure; you shall not fear. |
11:16 For you shall forget your misery; you shall remember it as waters that pass away. |
11:17 And [your] life shall be clearer than the noonday {and} rise above it; though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning. |
11:18 And you shall be secure {and} feel confident because there is hope; yes, you shall search about you, and you shall take your rest in safety. |
11:19 You shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yes, many shall sue for your favor. |
11:20 But the eyes of the wicked shall look [for relief] in vain, and they shall not escape [the justice of God]; and their hope shall be to give up the ghost. |