11:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
11:2 Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?
11:3 Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no-one rebuke you when you mock?
11:4 You say to God, `My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.’
11:5 Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you
11:6 and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.
11:7 Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
11:8 They are higher than the heavens what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave [Hebrew than Sheol] what can you know?
11:9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
11:10 If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?
11:11 Surely he recognises deceitful men and when he sees evil, does he not take note?
11:12 But a witless man can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born a man. [Or wild donkey can be born tame]
11:13 Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,
11:14 if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
11:15 then you will lift up your face without shame you will stand firm and without fear.
11:16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
11:17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
11:18 You will be secure, because there is hope you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
11:19 You will lie down, with no-one to make you afraid, and many will court your favour.
11:20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them their hope will become a dying gasp.