Job 11:12-20

12 A vain man is raised (up) into pride; and he guesseth himself born free, as the colt of a wild ass (like the colt of a wild donkey).

13 But thou hast made steadfast thine heart, and hast spread abroad thine hands to him.

14 If thou doest away from thee the wickedness, that is in thine hand, and if unrightwiseness dwelleth not in thy tabernacle, (If thou doest away from thee the wickedness, that is in thy hand, and if unrighteousness dwelleth not in thy home,)

15 then thou shalt raise up thy face without wem, and thou shalt be steadfast, and thou shalt not dread. (then thou shalt raise up thy face without blemish, or without fault, and thou shalt be strong, and thou shalt not have fear.)

16 And thou shalt forget (thy) wretchedness, and thou shalt not think of it, as of waters that have passed. (And thou shalt forget thy wretchedness, and thou shalt not think of it any more, like water that hath passed by, and is forgotten.)

17 And as midday shining, it shall raise (up) to thee at eventide; and when thou guessest thee (to be) wasted, thou shalt rise up as the day star. (And thy life shall shine forth, like the noonday sun; and when thou thinkest thyself to be destroyed, thou shalt rise up like the day star.)

18 And thou shalt have trust, while hope shall be set forth to thee; and thou buried shalt sleep securely (and thou shalt lie down in safety and security).

19 Thou shalt rest, and none shall be that shall make thee afeared; and full many men shall beseech thy face. (Thou shalt rest, or shalt lie down, and there shall be no one who shall make thee afraid; and a great many people shall beseech thee for help.)

20 But the eyes of wicked men shall fail; and succor shall perish from them, and the hope of them shall be abomination of soul. (But the eyes of the wicked shall fail; and succor shall perish from them, and their only hope shall be their despair.)

Job 11:12-20 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.