| Berean Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job: |
| 2“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated? | 2“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking? |
| 3Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke? | 3Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed? |
| 4You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’ | 4You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’ |
| 5But if only God would speak and open His lips against you, | 5If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! |
| 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. | 6If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom is not a simple matter. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve! |
| 7Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? | 7“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? |
| 8They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? | 8Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know? |
| 9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. | 9It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him? | 10If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? |
| 11Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note? | 11For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. |
| 12But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man! | 12An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child. |
| 13As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him, | 13“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! |
| 14if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents, | 14Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. |
| 15then indeed you will lift up your face without blemish; you will stand firm and unafraid. | 15Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. |
| 16For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by. | 16You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. |
| 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. |
| 18You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety. | 18Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. |
| 19You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor. | 19You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. |
| 20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.” | 20But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.” |
| This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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