| New King James Version | New Living Translation |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job: |
| 2“Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated? | 2“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking? |
| 3Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you? | 3Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed? |
| 4For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.’ | 4You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’ |
| 5But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips against you, | 5If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! |
| 6That He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore 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! |
| 7“Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? | 7“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? |
| 8They are higher than heaven—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? |
| 9Their 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, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him? | 10If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? |
| 11For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it? | 11For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. |
| 12For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey’s colt 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 prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him; | 13“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! |
| 14If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents; | 14Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. |
| 15Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear; | 15Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. |
| 16Because you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away, | 16You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. |
| 17And your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. |
| 18And you would be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety. | 18Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. |
| 19You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would 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 they shall not escape, And their hope— loss of life!” | 20But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.” |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | 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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