| Berean Study Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: |
| 2“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated? | 2Should this abundance of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted? |
| 3Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke? | 3Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you? |
| 4You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’ | 4You have said, "My teaching is sound, and I am pure in your sight." |
| 5But if only God would speak and open His lips against you, | 5But if only God would speak and open his lips against you! |
| 6and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves. | 6He would show you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your iniquity. |
| 7Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? | 7Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 8They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? | 8They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol--what can you know? |
| 9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. | 9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him? | 10If he passes by and throws someone in prison or convenes a court, who can stop him? |
| 11Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note? | 11Surely he knows which people are worthless. If he sees iniquity, will he not take note of it? |
| 12But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man! | 12But a stupid person will gain understanding as soon as a wild donkey is born a human! |
| 13As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him, | 13As for you, if you redirect your heart and spread out your hands to him in prayer-- |
| 14if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents, | 14if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it, and don't allow injustice to dwell in your tents-- |
| 15then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid. | 15then you will hold your head high, free from fault. You will be firmly established and unafraid. |
| 16For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by. | 16For you will forget your suffering, recalling it only as water that has flowed by. |
| 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. |
| 18You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety. | 18You will be confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. |
| 19You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor. | 19You will lie down with no one to frighten you, and many will seek your favor. |
| 20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.” | 20But the sight of the wicked will fail. Their way of escape will be cut off, and their only hope is their last breath. |
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