Job 11

Easy-to-Read Version

² “This flood of words should be answered!
    Does all this talking make Job right?
³ Do you think we don’t have
    an answer for you?
Do you think no one will warn you
    when you laugh at God?
⁴ You say to God,
    ‘My arguments are right,
    and you can see I am pure.’
⁵ I wish God would answer you
    and tell you that you are wrong.
⁶ He could tell you the secret of wisdom.
    He would tell you that every story has two sides.
You can be sure of this:
    God is not punishing you as much as he should.

⁷ “Do you think you really understand God?
    Do you completely understand God All-Powerful?
⁸ That knowledge is higher than the heavens
    and deeper than the place of death.
So what can you do?
    How can you learn it all?
⁹ It is greater than the earth
    and bigger than the seas.

¹⁰ “If God decides to arrest you and take you to court,
    no one could stop him.
¹¹ God knows who is worthless.
    When he sees evil, he remembers it.
¹² A wild donkey cannot give birth to a man,
    and a stupid person will never become wise.
¹³ Prepare your heart to serve only God.
    Lift your arms and pray to him.
¹⁴ Put away the sin that you still hold on to.
    Don’t keep evil in your tent.
¹⁵ If you will do that, you could look to God without shame.
    You can stand strong and not be afraid.
¹⁶ Then you can forget your troubles,
    like water that has already passed by.
¹⁷ Your life will be brighter than the sunshine at noon.
    Life’s darkest hours will shine like the morning sun.
¹⁸ You will feel safe because there is hope.
    God will protect you and give you rest.
¹⁹ You will lie down without fear of anyone.
    Many people will come to you for help.
²⁰ Evil people might look for help,
    but they will not escape their troubles.
    Their hope leads only to death.”