Job 11

²“Should a multitude of words go unanswered,

and should one full of talk be vindicated?

³Should your babble put others to silence,

and when you mock, shall no one shame you?

⁴For you say, ‘My conduct is pure,

and I am clean in God’s sight.’

⁵But O that God would speak,

and open his lips to you,

⁶and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!

For wisdom is many-sided.

Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.

⁷“Can you find out the deep things of God?

Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?

⁸It is higher than heaven—what can you do?

Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

⁹Its measure is longer than the earth,

and broader than the sea.

¹⁰If he passes through, and imprisons,

and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him?

¹¹For he knows those who are worthless;

when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?

¹²But a stupid person will get understanding,

when a wild ass is born human.

¹³“If you direct your heart rightly,

you will stretch out your hands toward him.

¹⁴If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,

and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.

¹⁵Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;

you will be secure, and will not fear.

¹⁶You will forget your misery;

you will remember it as waters that have passed away.

¹⁷And your life will be brighter than the noonday;

its darkness will be like the morning.

¹⁸And you will have confidence, because there is hope;

you will be protected and take your rest in safety.

¹⁹You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid;

many will entreat your favor.

²⁰But the eyes of the wicked will fail;

all way of escape will be lost to them,

and their hope is to breathe their last.”