Common English Bible CEB
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Zophar from Naamah responded:
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Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 Should all these words go unanswered or a wordy man be justified?
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"Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and should one full of talk be vindicated?
3 Will your idle talk silence everyone; will you mock and not be put to shame?
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Should your babble put others to silence, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
4 You've said, "My teaching is pure, and I'm clean in God's eyes."
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For you say, "My conduct is pure, and I am clean in God's sight.'
5 But oh, that God would speak, open his lips against you
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But O that God would speak, and open his lips to you,
6 and tell you secrets of wisdom; for sound insight has two sides. Know that God lets some of your sin be forgotten.
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and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For wisdom is many-sided. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.
7 Can you find the secret of God or find the extent of the Almighty?
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"Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
8 They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? Deeper than the underworld—what can you know?
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It is higher than heaven —what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
9 Its measurement is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.
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Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 If God passes by, imprisons someone, and calls a trial, who can stop him?
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If he passes through, and imprisons, and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him?
11 He knows worthless people, sees sin, and certainly takes note.
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For he knows those who are worthless; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
12 A stupid person becomes intelligent when a wild ass of a person is born tame.
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But a stupid person will get understanding, when a wild ass is born human.
13 If you make your mind resolute and spread your palms to him,
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"If you direct your heart rightly, you will stretch out your hands toward him.
14 if you throw out the sin in your hands and don't let injustice dwell in your tents,
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If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.
15 then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and not fear.
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Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear.
16 You will forget trouble; you will remember it as water that flows past.
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You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
17 A life span will rise brighter than noon; darkness will be like morning.
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And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.
18 You will be secure, for there is hope; you will look around and rest safely.
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And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety.
19 You will lie down without anyone to scare you; many will beg for your favor.
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You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid; many will entreat your favor.
20 The eyes of the wicked will grow faint; flight has vanished from them; their hope is a dying gasp.
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But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last."
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.