11:1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
11:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

11:2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
11:2 "Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated?

11:3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
11:3 Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you?

11:4 For thou hast said, My doctrine [is] pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
11:4 For you have said, 'My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.'

11:5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
11:5 But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips against you,

11:6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that [they are] double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee [less] than thine iniquity [deserveth].
11:6 That He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves.

11:7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
11:7 "Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?

11:8 [It is] as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
11:8 They are higher than heaven--what can you do? Deeper than Sheol--what can you know?

11:9 The measure thereof [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
11:9 Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.

11:10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
11:10 "If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him?

11:11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider [it]?
11:11 For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?

11:12 For vain man would be wise, though man be born [like] a wild ass's colt.
11:12 For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey's colt is born a man.

11:13 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
11:13 "If you would prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him;

11:14 If iniquity [be] in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
11:14 If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

11:15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
11:15 Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;

11:16 Because thou shalt forget [thy] misery, [and] remember [it] as waters [that] pass away:
11:16 Because you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away,

11:17 And [thine] age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
11:17 And your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning.

11:18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig [about thee, and] thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
11:18 And you would be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety.

11:19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make [thee] afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
11:19 You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court your favor.

11:20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the giving up of the ghost.
11:20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And they shall not escape, And their hope--loss of life!"