Job 11

“Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,” Naming Naamathite and Zophar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God…” Naming Know keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.” The line’s distinctive content terms include broader, earth, longer. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;” The line’s distinctive content terms include hands, heart, prepare. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.” The line’s distinctive content terms include dwell, hand, iniquity. Its relationship to verses 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in…” The line’s distinctive content terms include hope, rest, safety. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.