Job 11-12
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Zophar Speaks: Job’s Guilt Deserves Punishment
11 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 “Should a multitude of words go unanswered,
and should one full of talk be vindicated?(A)
3 Should your babble put others to silence,
and when you mock, shall no one shame you?(B)
4 For you say, ‘My conduct[a] is pure,
and I am clean in God’s[b] sight.’(C)
5 But O that God would speak
and open his lips to you
6 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
For wisdom is many-sided.[c]
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.(D)
7 “Can you find out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?[d](E)
8 It is higher than heaven[e]—what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?(F)
9 Its measure is longer than the earth
and broader than the sea.
10 If he passes through and imprisons
and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him?(G)
11 For he knows those who are worthless;
when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?(H)
12 But the stupid will get understanding
when a wild ass is born human.[f]
13 “If you direct your heart rightly,
you will stretch out your hands toward him.(I)
14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.(J)
15 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
you will be secure and will not fear.(K)
16 You will forget your misery;
you will remember it as waters that have passed away.(L)
17 And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
its darkness will be like the morning.(M)
18 And you will have confidence because there is hope;
you will be protected[g] and take your rest in safety.(N)
19 You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid;
many will entreat 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.”(O)
Job Replies: I Am a Laughingstock
12 Then Job answered:
2 “No doubt you are the people,
and wisdom will die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you;
I am not inferior to you.
Who does not know such things as these?
4 I am a laughingstock to my friends;
I, who called upon God and he answered me,
a just and blameless man, I am a laughingstock.(P)
5 Those at ease have contempt for misfortune,[h]
but it is ready for those whose feet are unstable.(Q)
6 The tents of robbers are at peace,
and those who provoke God are secure,
who bring their god in their hands.[i](R)
7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
8 ask the plants of the earth,[j] and they will teach you,
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
9 Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?(S)
10 In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of every human being.(T)
11 Does not the ear test words
as the palate tastes food?(U)
12 Is wisdom with the aged
and understanding in length of days?(V)
13 “With God[k] are wisdom and strength;
he has counsel and understanding.(W)
14 If he tears down, no one can rebuild;
if he shuts someone in, no one can open up.(X)
15 If he withholds the waters, they dry up;
if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.(Y)
16 With him are strength and wisdom;
the deceived and the deceiver are his.(Z)
17 He leads counselors away stripped
and makes fools of judges.(AA)
18 He looses the sash of kings
and binds a waistcloth on their loins.(AB)
19 He leads priests away stripped
and overthrows the mighty.
20 He deprives of speech those who are trusted
and takes away the discernment of the elders.(AC)
21 He pours contempt on princes
and looses the belt of the strong.(AD)
22 He uncovers deep things from the darkness
and brings deep darkness to light.(AE)
23 He makes nations great, then destroys them;
he enlarges nations, then leads them away.(AF)
24 He strips understanding from the leaders[l] of the earth
and makes them wander in a pathless waste.(AG)
25 They grope in the dark without light;
he makes them stagger like a drunkard.(AH)
Footnotes
- 11.4 Gk: Heb teaching
- 11.4 Heb your
- 11.6 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- 11.7 Traditional rendering of Heb Shaddai
- 11.8 Heb The heights of heaven
- 11.12 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- 11.18 Or you will look around
- 12.5 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- 12.6 Or whom God brought forth by his hand; meaning of Heb uncertain
- 12.8 Or speak to the earth
- 12.13 Heb him
- 12.24 Heb adds of the people
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.