New International Version | Christian Standard Bible |
1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: |
2"Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated? | 2Should this abundance of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted? |
3Will your idle talk reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock? | 3Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you? |
4You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.' | 4You have said, "My teaching is sound, and I am pure in your sight." |
5Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would 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 this: God has even forgotten some of your sin. | 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. |
7"Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe 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 above--what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below--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. |
10"If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him? | 10If he passes by and throws someone in prison or convenes a court, who can stop him? |
11Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note? | 11Surely he knows which people are worthless. If he sees iniquity, will he not take note of it? |
12But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born human. | 12But a stupid person will gain understanding as soon as a wild donkey is born a human! |
13"Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out 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 sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, | 14if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it, and don't allow injustice to dwell in your tents-- |
15then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. | 15then you will hold your head high, free from fault. You will be firmly established and unafraid. |
16You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. | 16For you will forget your suffering, recalling it only as water that has flowed by. |
17Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. |
18You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. | 18You will be confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. |
19You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, 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; their hope will become a dying gasp." | 20But the sight of the wicked will fail. Their way of escape will be cut off, and their only hope is their last breath. |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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