איוב יא

Then Zophar the Naamathite said in reply:

Is a multitude of words unanswerable?
Must a loquacious person be right?

Your prattle may silence people;
You may mock without being rebuked,

And say, “My doctrine is pure,
And I have been innocent in Your sight.”

But would that God might speak,
And talk to you directly.

You would be told the secrets of wisdom,
For there are many sides to sagacity;
And know that God has overlooked for you some of your iniquity.

Would you discover the mystery of God?
Would you discover the limit of the Almighty?

Higher than heaven—what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

Its measure is longer than the earth
And broader than the sea.

Should [God] pass by, or confine,
Or call an assembly, who can put a stop to it?

For [God] is aware of deceitful people,
And when seeing iniquity, discerns it.

The hollow person will get understanding,
When a wild ass is born a human.

But if you direct your mind,
And spread forth your hands toward [God]—

If there is iniquity with you, remove it,
And do not let injustice reside in your tent—

Then, free of blemish, you will hold your head high,
And, when in straits,; other Heb. editions muṣṣaq, “you will be firm.” be unafraid.

You will then put your misery out of mind,
Consider it as water that has flowed past.

Life will be brighter than noon;
You will shine, you will be like the morning.

You will be secure, for there is hope,
And, entrenched, you will rest secure;

You will lie down undisturbed;
The great will court your favor.

But the eyes of the wicked pine away;
Escape is cut off from them;
They have only their last breath to look forward to.