Job 11

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Zophar of Naamath spoke next. He said:	1 Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:
2 Is babbling to go without an answer? Is wordiness a proof of uprightness?	2 Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified?
3 Do you think your talking strikes people dumb, will you jeer with no one to refute you?	3 Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others, shall no man confute thee?
4 These were your words, 'My conduct is pure, in your eyes I am free of blame!'	4 For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.
5 Wil no one let God speak, open his lips and give you answer,	5 And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,
6 show you the secrets of wisdom which put all cleverness to shame? Then you would realise that Godis cal ing you to account for your sin.	6 That he might shew thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his law is manifold, and thou mightest understand that he exacteth much less of thee, than thy iniquity deserveth.
7 Can you claim to fathom the depth of God, can you reach the limit of Shaddai?	7 Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?
8 It is higher than the heavens: what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol: what can you know?	8 He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do ? he is deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know?
9 It would be longer to measure than the earth and broader than the sea.	9 The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 If he intervenes to close or convoke the assembly, who is to prevent him?	10 If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?
11 He knows how deceptive human beings are, and he sees their misdeeds too, and marks them wel .	11 For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it?
12 Hence empty-headed people would do wel to study sense and people who behave like wild donkeysto let themselves be tamed.	12 A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass's colt.
13 Come, reconsider your attitude, stretch out your hands towards him!	13 Rut thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.
14 If you repudiate the sin which you have doubtless committed and do not al ow wickedness to live onin your tents,	14 If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and lot not injustice remain in thy tabernacle:
15 you wil be able to raise an unsullied face, unwavering and free from fear,	15 Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.
16 for you wil forget about your misery, thinking of it only as a flood that passed long ago.	16 Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away.
17 Then begins an existence more radiant than noon, and the very darkness wil be bright as morning.	17 And brightness like that of the noonday, shall arise to thee at evening: and when thou shalt think thyself consumed, thou shalt rise as the day star.
18 Confident because there is hope; after your troubles, you wil sleep secure.	18 And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure.
19 When you lie down to rest, no one will trouble you, and many wil seek your favour.	19 Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face.
20 But as for the wicked, their eyes are weary, there is no refuge for them; their only hope is to breathetheir last.	20 But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul.