| New Century Version (NCV) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
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1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
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2 "Should these words go unanswered? Is this talker in the right?
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2 "Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?
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3 Your lies do not make people quiet; people should correct you when you make fun of God.
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3 Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?
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4 You say, 'My teachings are right, and I am clean in God's sight.'
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4 You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.'
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5 I wish God would speak and open his lips against you
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5 Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you
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6 and tell you the secrets of wisdom, because wisdom has two sides. your sin.
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6 and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.
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7 "Can you understand the secrets of God?
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7 "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
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8 His limits are higher than the heavens; you cannot reach them! They are deeper than the grave; you cannot understand them!
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8 They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave--what can you know?
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9 His limits are longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
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9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
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10 "If God comes along and puts you in prison or calls you into court, no one can stop him.
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10 "If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?
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11 God knows who is evil, and when he sees evil, he takes note of it.
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11 Surely he recognizes deceitful men; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?
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12 A fool cannot become wise any more than a wild donkey can be born tame.
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12 But a witless man can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born a man.
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13 "You must give your whole heart to him and hold out your hands to him for help.
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13 "Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,
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14 Put away the sin that is in your hand; let no evil remain in your tent.
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14 if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
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15 Then you can lift up your face without shame, and you can stand strong without fear.
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15 then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.
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16 You will forget your trouble and darkness will seem like morning.
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16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
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17 Your life will be as bright as the noonday sun, and darkness will seem like morning.
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17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
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18 You will feel safe because there is hope; you will look around and rest in safety.
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18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
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19 You will lie down, and no one will scare you. Many people will want favors from you.
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19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.
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20 But the wicked will not be able to see, so they will not escape. Their only hope will be to die."
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20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp."
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| Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (New Century Version Online Bible) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
