Hiob 11 | New International Reader’s Version

The first speech of Zophar

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied, 2 ‘Don’t all your words require an answer? I’m sure that what you are saying can’t be right. 3 Your useless talk won’t keep us quiet. Someone has to correct you when you make fun of truth. 4 You say to God, “My beliefs are perfect. I’m pure in your sight.” 5 I wish God would speak. I wish he’d answer you. 6 I wish he’d show you the secrets of wisdom. After all, true wisdom has two sides. Here’s what I want you to know. God has forgotten some of your sins. 7 ‘Do you know how deep the mysteries of God are? Can you discover the limits of the Mighty One’s knowledge? 8 They are higher than the heavens above. What can you do? They are deeper than the deepest parts of the earth below. What can you know? 9 They are longer than the earth. They are wider than the ocean. 10 ‘Suppose God comes along and puts you in prison. Suppose he takes you to court. Then who can oppose him? 11 He certainly knows when people tell lies. When he sees evil, he pays careful attention to it. 12 A wild donkey’s colt can’t be born a human being. And it’s just as impossible that a person without sense can become wise. 13 ‘So commit yourself to God completely. Reach out your hands to him for help. 14 Get rid of all the sin you have. Don’t let anything that is evil stay in your tent. 15 Then, free of those things, you can face others. You can stand firm without being afraid. 16 You can be sure you will forget your troubles. They will be like water that has flowed on by. 17 Life will be brighter than the sun at noon. And darkness will become like morning. 18 You will be secure, because there is hope. You will look around you and find a safe place to rest. 19 You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Many people will want you to help them. 20 But sinful people won’t find what they are looking for. They won’t be able to escape. All they can hope for is to die.’

English Standard Version

Zophar Speaks: You Deserve Worse

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: 2 “Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right? 3 Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you? 4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God’s* eyes.’ 5 But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you, 6 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding.* Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves. 7 “Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? 8 It is higher than heaven*—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? 9 Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. 10 If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back? 11 For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? 12 But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man! 13 “If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. 14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. 15 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. 16 You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. 17 And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. 18 And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. 19 You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor. 20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last.”

Hiob 11 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version

The first speech of Zophar

Zophar Speaks: You Deserve Worse