Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “But come on, all of you, try again! I will not find a wise man among you. New Living Translation “As for all of you, come back with a better argument, though I still won’t find a wise man among you. English Standard Version But you, come on again, all of you, and I shall not find a wise man among you. Berean Standard Bible But come back and try again, all of you. For I will not find a wise man among you. King James Bible But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you. New King James Version “But please, come back again, all of you, For I shall not find one wise man among you. New American Standard Bible “But come again all of you now, For I do not find a wise man among you. NASB 1995 “But come again all of you now, For I do not find a wise man among you. NASB 1977 “But come again all of you now, For I do not find a wise man among you. Legacy Standard Bible But come again all of you now, For I do not find a wise man among you. Amplified Bible “But as for all of you, come back again, Even though I do not find a wise man among you. Christian Standard Bible But come back and try again, all of you. I will not find a wise man among you. Holman Christian Standard Bible But come back and try again, all of you. I will not find a wise man among you. American Standard Version But as for you all, come on now again; And I shall not find a wise man among you. Contemporary English Version But none of my friends show any sense. English Revised Version But return ye, all of you, and come now: and I shall not find a wise man among you. GOD'S WORD® Translation "But now, all of you, come and try again! I won't find one wise man among you. Good News Translation But if all of them came and stood before me, I would not find even one of them wise. International Standard Version "Come here now, all of you, and I won't find a wise person among you. NET Bible "But turn, all of you, and come now! I will not find a wise man among you. New Heart English Bible But as for you all, come on now again; I shall not find a wise man among you. Webster's Bible Translation But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut come back and try again, all of you. For I will not find a wise man among you. World English Bible But as for you all, come back. I will not find a wise man among you. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBut please return and come in, all of you, "" And I do not find a wise man among you. Young's Literal Translation Return, and come in, I pray you, And I find not among you a wise man. Smith's Literal Translation But ye all shall turn back, and come ye now, and I shall not find a wise one among you. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWherefore be you all converted, and come, and I shall not find among you any wise man. Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, be converted, all of you, and approach, for I do not find in you any wisdom. New American Bible But turn now, and come on again; I do not find a wise man among you! New Revised Standard Version But you, come back now, all of you, and I shall not find a sensible person among you. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut as for you all, you are hypocritical, and yet you return and come to me; but I cannot find a wise man among you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated However, behold, all of you returned and you turned and you came to me, and I did not find among you one who is wise OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But as for you all, do ye return, and come now; And I shall not find a wise man among you. Brenton Septuagint Translation Howbeit, do ye all strengthen yourselves and come now, for I do not find truth in you. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job Prepares for Death…9Yet a righteous one holds to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger. 10But come back and try again, all of you. For I will not find a wise man among you. 11My days have passed; my plans are broken off—even the desires of my heart.… Cross References Job 12:2 “Truly then you are the people with whom wisdom itself will die! Job 15:9 What do you know that we do not? What do you understand that is not clear to us? Job 21:34 So how can you comfort me with empty words? For your answers remain full of falsehood.” Job 13:4 You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians. Job 16:2 “I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all. Job 32:9 It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice. Job 5:27 Indeed, we have investigated, and it is true! So hear it and know for yourself.” Job 6:25 How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? Job 26:3 How you have counseled the unwise and provided fully sound insight! Job 34:35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’ 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” 1 Corinthians 8:2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 2 Corinthians 11:19 For you gladly put up with fools, since you are so wise. Romans 1:22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, Treasury of Scripture But as for you all, do you return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you. do ye return Job 6:29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it. Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. for I Job 17:4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them. Job 15:9 What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us? Job 32:9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Jump to Previous Find Try WiseJump to Next Find Try WiseJob 17 1. Job appeals from men to God6. The unmerciful dealing of men with the afflicted may astonish, 9. but not discourage the righteous 11. His hope is not in life, but in death But come back and try again, all of you. In this phrase, Job is addressing his friends, who have been attempting to counsel him throughout his suffering. The invitation to "come back and try again" suggests a sense of irony or sarcasm, as Job has grown weary of their repeated attempts to explain his suffering through their limited understanding. This reflects the cultural context of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, where dialogue and debate were common methods of exploring truth. Job's friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, represent traditional wisdom, which often equated suffering with personal sin. Job's challenge to them highlights the inadequacy of their counsel and the need for a deeper understanding of God's ways, which is a recurring theme in the book. For I will not find a wise man among you. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobThe central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and patience who endures immense suffering and loss. He is known for his unwavering faith in God despite his trials. 2. Job's Friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who come to comfort Job but end up arguing with him, insisting that his suffering must be due to some sin he has committed. 3. The Land of Uz The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia. 4. God's Sovereignty A recurring theme in the Book of Job, highlighting God's ultimate control and wisdom over all creation, even when human understanding falls short. 5. Suffering and Wisdom The broader context of Job's discourse, where he grapples with the nature of suffering and the search for true wisdom. Teaching Points The Search for True WisdomTrue wisdom is not found in human reasoning alone but in the fear of the Lord and understanding His ways. The Role of Friends in Times of Suffering Friends should offer support and comfort, not judgment or simplistic explanations for complex situations. God's Sovereignty in Suffering Trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom, even when circumstances are difficult to understand. The Importance of Discernment Discernment is crucial in evaluating advice and counsel from others, ensuring it aligns with God's truth. Perseverance in Faith Like Job, maintain faith and integrity even when surrounded by misunderstanding or false accusations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 17:10?2. How does Job 17:10 challenge us to discern wise counsel from foolishness? 3. What does Job 17:10 reveal about the persistence of Job's friends' arguments? 4. How can we apply Job's discernment in Job 17:10 to our relationships today? 5. Compare Job 17:10 with Proverbs 12:15. How do both address wisdom and folly? 6. In what ways can Job 17:10 encourage us to seek godly wisdom consistently? 7. How does Job 17:10 reflect Job's view of his friends' wisdom? 8. What does Job 17:10 reveal about human understanding in times of suffering? 9. How does Job 17:10 challenge the concept of true wisdom? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 17? 11. What is the Bible's view on poverty? 12. How can a young man purify his path? 13. Did people worship Jesus? 14. What are the seven cardinal virtues? What Does Job 17:10 Mean But come backJob’s invitation sounds almost sarcastic: “But come back.” He has already endured lengthy speeches from his friends (Job 4–15), yet he opens the door for more. • This echoes Proverbs 18:17, where the first case seems right “until another comes forward and cross-examines him.” Job is willing to let them “cross-examine” again, confident his innocence will still stand. • In 1 Peter 3:15 believers are told to be ready to give a defense; Job models that readiness, even in suffering. • He is not rejecting fellowship outright (Hebrews 10:24-25) but exposing the futility of counsel that is neither compassionate nor truthful (Proverbs 25:20). and try again Job challenges them to present a new angle, implying everything already said has missed the mark. • Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar repeated the same retributive formula (Job 4:7; 8:4; 11:6). Job says, in effect, “If that is all you have, start over.” • Jesus critiques vain repetition in Matthew 6:7; similarly, Job exposes fruitless repetition that lacks spiritual insight. • Ecclesiastes 1:9 observes “there is nothing new under the sun,” yet Job invites them to seek genuine wisdom from the Lord (James 1:5), not recycled platitudes. all of you. No friend is exempt from Job’s critique. Each has failed to offer true comfort (Job 16:2, “Miserable comforters are you all”). • Psalm 118:8 reminds us, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.” Job’s blanket address redirects attention away from human reasoning to divine vindication. • Galatians 6:1 calls the spiritually mature to restore the one caught in transgression “in a spirit of gentleness.” Job has found no such gentleness among his three companions. For I will not find a wise man among you. Job concludes that genuine godly wisdom is absent from their counsel. • Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with the wise will become wise.” Job’s lament shows the opposite: bad counselors can increase sorrow. • 1 Corinthians 3:19 declares, “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” Job’s friends rely on worldly logic—sufferers must be sinners—ignoring God’s larger purposes (Job 1:8; John 9:2-3). • Their failure foreshadows the need for the ultimate Wise Man, Christ Himself, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). summary Job 17:10 reveals a suffering saint who opens the floor for further discussion yet holds low expectations because his friends have offered only recycled, superficial answers. He invites them back, not to prolong debate, but to expose the emptiness of human wisdom divorced from divine revelation. The verse challenges us to seek counsel grounded in God’s truth, approaching the hurting with humility, compassion, and the wisdom that comes from above (James 3:17). (10) But as for you all, do ye return.--This is probably said with irony. "Come again and renew the argument between us; but I shall not be able to find a wise man among you. I am willing to listen to your argument, but I am confident as to the result of it."For I cannot find.--Rather, and I shall not find: i.e., if ye renew the argument. Verse 10. - But as for you all, do ye return, and come now. A challenge to his detractors. Return, all of you, to your old work of detraction, if you so please. I care not. Your accusations no longer vex me. For I cannot find one wise man among you. If I could the case would be different. But, as you have all shown yourselves wholly devoid of wisdom (comp. Job 42:8), what you say has no real importance.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Butוְֽאוּלָ֗ם (wə·’ū·lām) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 199: However, on the contrary come back וּבֹ֣אוּ (ū·ḇō·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go and try again, תָּ֭שֻׁבוּ (tā·šu·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again all of you. כֻּלָּ֣ם (kul·lām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every For I will not וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no find אֶמְצָ֖א (’em·ṣā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present a wise man חָכָֽם׃ (ḥā·ḵām) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2450: Wise among you. בָכֶ֣ם (ḇā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew Links Job 17:10 NIVJob 17:10 NLT Job 17:10 ESV Job 17:10 NASB Job 17:10 KJV Job 17:10 BibleApps.com Job 17:10 Biblia Paralela Job 17:10 Chinese Bible Job 17:10 French Bible Job 17:10 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 17:10 But as for you all come (Jb) |