| New American Standard Bible 1995 | New Living Translation |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job: |
| 2"Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a talkative man be acquitted? | 2“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking? |
| 3"Shall your boasts silence men? And shall you scoff and none rebuke? | 3Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed? |
| 4"For you have said, 'My teaching is pure, And I am innocent in your eyes.' | 4You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’ |
| 5"But would that God might speak, And open His lips against you, | 5If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! |
| 6And show you the secrets of wisdom! For sound wisdom has two sides. Know then that God forgets a part of your iniquity. | 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! |
| 7"Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? | 7“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? |
| 8"They are high as the heavens, what can you do? 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? |
| 9"Its measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea. | 9It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10"If He passes by or shuts up, Or calls an assembly, who can restrain Him? | 10If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? |
| 11"For He knows false men, And He sees iniquity without investigating. | 11For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. |
| 12"An idiot will become intelligent When the foal of a wild donkey is born a man. | 12An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child. |
| 13"If you would direct your heart right And spread out your hand to Him, | 13“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! |
| 14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, And do not let wickedness dwell in your tents; | 14Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. |
| 15"Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect, And you would be steadfast and not fear. | 15Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. |
| 16"For you would forget your trouble, As waters that have passed by, you would remember it. | 16You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. |
| 17"Your life would be brighter than noonday; Darkness would be like the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. |
| 18"Then you would trust, because there is hope; And you would look around and rest securely. | 18Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. |
| 19"You would lie down and none would disturb you, And many would entreat your favor. | 19You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. |
| 20"But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And there will be no escape for them; And their hope is to breathe their last." | 20But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.” |
| New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org | 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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