1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered, 2 "Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified? 3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed? 4 For you say, 'My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.' 5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you, 6 that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves. 7 "Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? 9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. 10 If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him? 11 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn't consider it. 12 An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt. 13 "If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him. 14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don't let unrighteousness dwell in your tents. 15 Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear: 16 for you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it as waters that are passed away. 17 Life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning. 18 You shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety. 19 Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. Yes, many shall court your favor. 20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit."
Zophar answers Job, and reproves him severely for his attempts to justify himself; charges him with secret iniquity, and contends that God inflicts less punishment on him than his iniquities deserve, Job 11:1-6. Shows the knowledge and perfections of God to be unsearchable, and that none can resist his power, Job 11:7-11. Warns him against vanity of mind, and exhorts him to repentance on the ground that his acceptance with God is still a possible case, and that his latter days may yet become happy and prosperous, Job 11:12-20.
INTRODUCTION TO JOB 11
In this chapter Zophar the Naamathite, Job's third friend, attacks him, and the with great acrimony and severity, and with much indecency; he charges him not only with loquacity, and vain babbling, but with lying, and with scoffing at God, and good men, Job 11:1; which he attempts to support by some things Job had said, misrepresented by him, Job 11:4; and wishes that God would take him in hand, and convince him of the wisdom of the divine proceedings with him, and of his lenity and mercy to him, Job 11:5; and then discourses of the unsearchableness of God in his counsels, and conduct; of his sovereignty, and of his power, and of the vanity and folly of men, Job 11:7; and as his friends before him, having insinuated that Job was guilty of some heinous sin, or sins, and especially of hypocrisy, advises him to repentance and reformation, and then it would be well with him; and he should enjoy much comfort, peace, and safety, even to old age, Job 11:13; and concludes it should go ill with the wicked man and the hypocrite, such as he suggests Job was, Job 11:20.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.