GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New King James Version NKJV
1 Then Zophar from Naama replied [to Job],
1
Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
2 "Shouldn't someone answer this flood of words? Should a good public speaker be acquitted?
2
"Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated?
3 Should your empty talk silence others so that you can make fun of us without any shame?
3
Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you?
4 You say, 'My teaching is morally correct,' and, 'As you can see, I'm innocent.'
4
For you have said, 'My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.'
5 I only wish God would speak and open his mouth [to talk] to you.
5
But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips against you,
6 He would tell you the secrets of wisdom, because [true] wisdom is twice [as great as your wisdom], and you would know that God forgets your sin.
6
That 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.
7 "Can you discover God's hidden secrets, or are you able to find the Almighty's limits?
7
"Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?
8 [God's wisdom is] higher than heaven. What can you do? It is deeper than [the depths] of hell. What can you know?
8
They are higher than heaven--what can you do? Deeper than Sheol--what can you know?
9 It is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
9
Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.
10 If God comes along and imprisons [someone] and then calls a court into session, who can stop him?
10
"If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him?
11 He knows who the scoundrels are. And when he sees sin, doesn't he pay attention to it?
11
For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?
12 But an empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born tame.
12
For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey's colt is born a man.
13 "If you want to set your heart right, then pray to him.
13
"If you would prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him;
14 If you're holding on to sin, put it far away, and don't let injustice live in your tent.
14
If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;
15 Then you will be able to show your face without being ashamed, and you will be secure and unafraid.
15
Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;
16 [Then] you will forget your misery and remember it like water that has flowed downstream.
16
Because you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away,
17 Then your life will be brighter than the noonday sun. The darkness in your life will become like morning.
17
And your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning.
18 You will feel confident because there's hope, and you will look around and rest in safety.
18
And you would be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety.
19 You will lie down with no one to frighten you, and many people will try to gain your favor.
19
You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court your favor.
20 But the wicked will lose their eyesight. Their escape route will be closed. Their only hope is to take their last breath."
20
But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And they shall not escape, And their hope--loss of life!"