| International Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1Zophar from Naamath had this to say: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke up and said: |
| 2"Shouldn't a multitude of words be answered, or a person who talks too much be vindicated? | 2"Should not this abundance of words be answered, or should this talkative man be vindicated? |
| 3Will your irrational babble silence people, and when you mock them, will you escape without being shamed? | 3Will your idle talk reduce people to silence, and will no one rebuke you when you mock? |
| 4You've said, 'My teaching is flawless; I'm clean in God's sight.' | 4For you have said, 'My teaching is flawless, and I am pure in your sight.' |
| 5"But what if God were to speak? What if he were to talk with you, | 5But if only God would speak, if only he would open his lips against you, |
| 6and disclose his wise secrets? After all, there's so much more to understanding. So be aware that God will exact from you less than your sin deserves." | 6and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom--for true wisdom has two sides--so that you would know that God has forgiven some of your sins. |
| 7"Can you search through God's complex things? Can you uncover the limits of the Almighty? | 7"Can you discover the essence of God? Can you find out the perfection of the Almighty? |
| 8These things are higher than the heavens, so what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol, so what can you know? | 8It is higher than the heavens--what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol--what can you know? |
| 9They are longer than the earth's circumference, and broader than the ocean. | 9Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. |
| 10"If he bypasses, or imprisons, or convenes a court, who can stop him? | 10If he comes by and confines you and convenes a court, then who can prevent him? |
| 11For he knows mankind's deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won't he himself consider it? | 11For he knows deceitful men; when he sees evil, will he not consider it? |
| 12An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!" | 12But an empty man will become wise, when a wild donkey's colt is born a human being. |
| 13"Now for you, if you will prepare your heart, spread out your hands to him. | 13"As for you, if you prove faithful, and if you stretch out your hands toward him, |
| 14If you have any iniquity, throw it far away. Don't let evil live in your residence. | 14if iniquity is in your hand--put it far away, and do not let evil reside in your tents. |
| 15Then your confidence will be flawless, and your security will keep you from terror. | 15For then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be securely established and will not fear. |
| 16You'll forget your suffering; you'll remember it like water that has evaporated. | 16For you will forget your trouble; you will remember it like water that has flowed away. |
| 17Your life will be brighter than noonday. Even its darkness will be like dawn. | 17And life will be brighter than the noonday; though there be darkness, it will be like the morning. |
| 18You'll be secure, because there is hope; you'll see that you're at rest and safe. | 18And you will be secure, because there is hope; you will be protected and will take your rest in safety. |
| 19When you sleep, there'll be nothing to fear; and many will court your favor. | 19You will lie down with no one to make you afraid, and many will seek your favor. |
| 20But what the wicked look for will fail; their way of escape will be taken away from them; their only hope is to take their final breath." | 20But the eyes of the wicked fail, and escape eludes them; their one hope is to breathe their last." |
|
    |