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.