11:1
Zophar of Naamath spoke next. He said:
11:2
Is babbling to go without an answer? Is wordiness a proof of uprightness?
11:3
Do you think your talking strikes people dumb, will you jeer with no one to refute you?
11:4
These were your words, 'My conduct is pure, in your eyes I am free of blame!'
11:5
Will no one let God speak, open his lips and give you answer,
11:6
show you the secrets of wisdom which put all cleverness to shame? Then you would realise that God is calling you to account for your sin.
11:7
Can you claim to fathom the depth of God, can you reach the limit of Shaddai?
11:8
It is higher than the heavens: what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol: what can you know?
11:9
It would be longer to measure than the earth and broader than the sea.
11:10
If he intervenes to close or convoke the assembly, who is to prevent him?
11:11
He knows how deceptive human beings are, and he sees their misdeeds too, and marks them well.
11:12
Hence empty-headed people would do well to study sense and people who behave like wild donkeys to let themselves be tamed.
11:13
Come, reconsider your attitude, stretch out your hands towards him!
11:14
If you repudiate the sin which you have doubtless committed and do not allow wickedness to live on in your tents,
11:15
you will be able to raise an unsullied face, unwavering and free from fear,
11:16
for you will forget about your misery, thinking of it only as a flood that passed long ago.
11:17
Then begins an existence more radiant than noon, and the very darkness will be bright as morning.
11:18
Confident because there is hope; after your troubles, you will sleep secure.
11:19
When you lie down to rest, no one will trouble you, and many will seek your favour.
11:20
But as for the wicked, their eyes are weary, there is no refuge for them; their only hope is to breathe their last.
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