Job
Chapter 11
Zophar of Naamah, the third of Job's friends, speaks for the first time. He tells Job that his long speeches deserve an answer, that God knows secrets of wisdom Job cannot reach, and that God is punishing him less than his sin deserves. Zophar then urges Job to set his heart right and put away evil, promising that his life will become bright and safe, while the wicked have no escape.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
1Then Zophar, who came from the town of Naamah, answered Job. He said:
2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
2Should all these words go without an answer? Should a man who talks this much be called right?
3Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
3Should your empty talk make other men keep quiet? When you mock, will no one shame you?
4For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
4You have said, "What I teach is right, and I am clean in God's sight."
5But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
5But I wish God himself would speak. I wish he would open his lips and answer you.
6And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
6I wish he would show you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Then you would know that God is punishing you less than your sin deserves.
The KJV says wisdom is "double to that which is." It means true wisdom has two sides, or far more to it than a person can see.
7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
7Can you search out God and truly understand him? Can you find the far edge of the Almighty?
8It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
8God's wisdom is higher than the sky. What can you do about that? It is deeper than the world of the dead. What can you know?
The KJV word here is "hell," but the Hebrew word is Sheol, the place of the dead, deep below the earth. Zophar names it as the deepest place anyone can think of.
9The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
9Its size is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
10If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
10If God comes and shuts a man up in prison, or calls him to court, who can stop him?
11For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
11He knows which men are false. He sees evil too. Will he not take notice of it?
12For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.
12An empty-headed man wants to be wise. But he is born no wiser than the colt of a wild donkey.
13If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
13Here is what you should do. Set your heart right, and lift up your hands to God.
14If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
14Put away the sin you are holding on to. Do not let any evil live in your tents.
15For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
15Then you will be able to lift up your face without shame. You will stand firm and not be afraid.
16Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
16You will forget your trouble. You will remember it only as water that has already flowed past.
17And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
17Your life will shine brighter than the sun at noon. Even its dark times will be like morning light.
"Thine age" in the KJV means your life or your lifetime, not how old you are.
18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
18You will feel safe, because there is hope. You will look around you and lie down without worry.
19Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
19You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Many people will come asking for your favor.
20But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.
20But the eyes of the wicked will grow weak. They will find no way to escape. Their only hope will be their last breath.
"The giving up of the ghost" is old English for dying, or breathing your last breath.
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