| King James Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: |
| 2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? | 2“Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right? |
| 3Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? | 3Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you? |
| 4For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. | 4For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God’s eyes.’ |
| 5But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; | 5But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you, |
| 6And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. | 6and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves. |
| 7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? | 7“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? |
| 8It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? | 8It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? |
| 9The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. | 9Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. |
| 10If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? | 10If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back? |
| 11For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? | 11For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? |
| 12For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. | 12But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man! |
| 13If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; | 13“If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. |
| 14If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. | 14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. |
| 15For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: | 15Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. |
| 16Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: | 16You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. |
| 17And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. | 17And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. |
| 18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. | 18And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. |
| 19Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. | 19You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor. |
| 20But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. | 20But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last.” |
| King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. |
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