Job 11:11-20

11 For he knows when people are worthless; so if he sees iniquity, won't he look into it?

12 "An empty man can gain understanding, even if he was born like a wild donkey.

13 If you will set your heart right, if you will spread out your hands toward him,

14 if you will put your iniquity at a distance and not let unrighteousness remain in your tents,

15 then when you lift up your face, there will be no defect; you will be firm and free from fear.

16 "For you will forget your misery; you'll remember it like a flood that passed through long ago;

17 your life will be brighter than noon; even its darkness will be like morning.

18 You will be confident, because there is hope; you will look around you and lie down secure;

19 you will rest, and no one will make you afraid. Many will seek your favor;

20 but the eyes of the wicked will fail [to find comfort]. They will find no way to escape, and their hope will turn to complete disappointment."

Job 11:11-20 Meaning and Commentary

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 11:1-3; 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 11:5,6; 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 11:7-19; 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 11:13-19; and concludes it should go ill with the wicked man and the hypocrite, such as he suggests Job was, Job 11:20.