Job 11

_1-2Will no one answer all this nonsense?

Does talking so much put you in the right?

₃Job, do you think we can't answer you?

That your mocking words will leave us speechless?

₄You claim that what you say is true;

you claim you are pure in the sight of God.

₅How I wish God would answer you!

₆He would tell you there are many sides to wisdom;

there are things too deep for human knowledge.

God is punishing you less than you deserve.

₇Can you discover the limits and bounds

of the greatness and power of God?

₈The sky is no limit for God,

but it lies beyond your reach.

God knows the world of the dead,

but you do not know it.

₉God's greatness is broader than the earth,

wider than the sea.

₁₀If God arrests you and brings you to trial,

who is there to stop him?

₁₁God knows which people are worthless;

he sees all their evil deeds.

₁₂Stupid people will start being wise

when wild donkeys are born tame.

₁₃Put your heart right, Job. Reach out to God.

₁₄Put away evil and wrong from your home.

₁₅Then face the world again, firm and courageous.

₁₆Then all your troubles will fade from your memory,

like floods that are past and remembered no more.

₁₇Your life will be brighter than sunshine at noon,

and life's darkest hours will shine like the dawn.

₁₈You will live secure and full of hope;

God will protect you and give you rest.

₁₉You won't be afraid of your enemies;

many people will ask you for help.

₂₀But the wicked will look round in despair

and find that there is no way to escape.

Their one hope is that death will come.