| World English Bible (WEB) |
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 "Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
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2 "Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?
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3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?
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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 For you say, 'My doctrine is pure, I am clean in your eyes.'
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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 But oh that 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 That he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
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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 fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
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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 They are high as heaven. What can you do? Deeper than Sheol: what can you know?
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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 The measure of it is longer than the earth, And broader 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 he passes by, or confines, Or convenes a court, then who can oppose 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 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn't consider 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 But vain man can become wise If a man can be born as a wild donkey's colt.
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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 "If you set your heart aright, Stretch out your hands toward him.
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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 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, Don't let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
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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 Surely then shall you lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not 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 For you shall forget your misery; You shall remember it as waters that are passed away,
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16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
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17 Life shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning.
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17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
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18 You shall be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you shall search, and shall take your 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 Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; Yes, many shall court your favor.
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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 eyes of the wicked shall fail, They shall have no way to flee; Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit."
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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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| The World English Bible is in the public domain. (The World English Bible Online) |
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) |
