Job 11

1 Then Zophar [the sparrow, a friend of Job] the Naamathite [from Naamah, a place of pleasantness] replied [answered, began speaking, and said]: word study 2 “Should this [multitude of, abundance of] stream of words [or great talker, full of talk] go unanswered [not be replied to, remain unaddressed] and such a speaker [man of lips, full of words] be vindicated [justified, declared righteous, made right]? word study 3 Should your babbling [empty boasts, lies] put others [men, people] to silence [be quiet, still]? Will you scoff [mock, deride] without rebuke [shame, humiliation]? word study 4 You have said [spoken, declared], ‘My doctrine [teaching, instruction] is sound [pure, clean], and I am pure [clean, innocent] in Your sight [eyes, presence].’ word study 5 But [however, in contrast] if only God [Eloah, the one true deity] would speak [communicate, utter His voice] and open [to engrave, carve out] His lips [language, words] against you [toward you, in your direction], word study 6 and disclose [reveal, make known] to you the secrets [hidden things, mysteries] of wisdom [sound judgment, prudence], for true wisdom [support and ability] has two sides [is double, manifold]. Know [understand, perceive] then that God [Eloah, the one true God] exacts [demands, requires] from you less [a smaller amount] than your iniquity [moral evil, sin] deserves [is worthy of, requires]. word study 7 Can you [by searching, through investigation] fathom [comprehend, fully understand] the deep things [mysteries, hidden truths] of God [Eloah, the one true God] or discover [find out, attain knowledge of] the limits [boundaries, outer reaches] of the Almighty [Shadday, all-powerful One]? word study 8 They are higher [as high as heaven] than the heavens [the visible universe and the abode of God]—what [or how] can you do [or accomplish]? They are deeper [more profound] than Sheol [the underworld or grave]—what [or how] can you know [or understand]? word study 9 Their measure [extends farther] is longer [in length, duration] than the earth [land, ground, territory] and wider [broader, more spacious] than the sea [a large body of water]. word study 10 If [under these conditions, in this circumstance] He [the Almighty, God] comes along [passes by, goes on His way] to imprison [shut up, confine] you, or convenes [gathers, assembles] a court [judgment, a place of decision], who [what person, which one] can stop [hinder, turn back] Him? word study 11 Surely He [the Almighty, God] knows [is intimately aware of, perceives] the deceit [vanity, falsehood] of men [mankind, humanity]. If He sees [looks upon, observes] iniquity [evil, wickedness], does He not [will He not, can He not] take note [consider, discern, understand]? word study 12 But a [vain, empty-headed] witless man [a male person] can no more become wise [gain understanding, be enlightened] than the colt [young donkey, foal] of a wild [fierce] donkey [onager] can be born [come into existence, be begotten] a man [a human being]! word study 13 As for you [Job, the sufferer], if you [the individual] direct [prepare, set aright] your heart [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect] and lift up [stretch out, spread] your hands [the palm] to Him [toward God, in prayer and supplication], word study 14 if you put away [completely remove, send far off] the iniquity [evil, wickedness, or trouble] in your hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share], and allow no [let not, do not permit] injustice [moral evil, violent deeds, or unfair speech] to dwell [live, stay, or reside] in your tents [tabernacles, nomad’s home, or place of residence], word study 15 then indeed [at that time, in that circumstance] you will lift up [raise, elevate] your face [presence, countenance] without [free from, unencumbered by] shame [blemish, spot]; you will stand [be established, remain] firm [steadfast, unwavering] and unafraid [without fear, fearless]. word study 16 For [because of this reason] you [as an individual, personally] will forget [mislay, be oblivious to] your misery [trouble, hard work, suffering], recalling [remembering, marking] it only as waters [liquid, source of refreshment] gone by [passed away, flowed away like a flood]. word study 17 Your life [lifetime, temporary world] will be brighter [clearer, shining forth] than noonday [midday, when the sun is highest]; its darkness [times of gloom, difficulties] will be like [similar to, comparable with] the morning [break of day, new beginnings]. word study 18 You will be secure [in confidence, having faith], because there is hope [a cord of expectancy, trust], and you will look around [search, dig] and lie down [rest, sleep] in safety [security, refuge]. word study 19 You will lie down [to rest, to stretch out] without fear [no anxiety, none to make you afraid], and many [a multitude, numerous] will court [make suit, entreat] your favor [be desiring to have grace in your eyes, request you to do things for them]. word study 20 But the eyes [the source of perception, understanding] of the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin] will fail [come to an end, be exhausted], and escape [refuge, a place to flee] will elude [perish, be lost] them; they will hope [wait with expectation, have a cord of attachment] for their last breath [the giving up of the spirit, a breathing out of the soul].” word study