New International Version NIV
The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
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Next Tzofar the Na'amati spoke up:
2 “Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?
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"Shouldn't this torrent of words be answered? Does talking a lot make a person right?
3 Will your idle talk reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?
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Is your babble supposed to put others to silence? When you mock, is no one to make you ashamed?
4 You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.’
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"You claim that your teaching is pure; you tell [God], 'I am clean in your sight.'
5 Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you
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I wish that God would speak, would open his mouth to answer you,
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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would tell you the secrets of wisdom, which is worth twice as much as common sense. Understand that God is demanding of you less than your guilt deserves.
7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
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"Can you penetrate God's depths? Can you find out Shaddai's limits?
8 They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know?
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They're as high as heaven; what can you do? They're deeper than Sh'ol; what can you know?
9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
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Their extent is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.
10 “If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?
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If he passes through, puts in prison and assembles [for judgment], who can prevent him?
11 Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?
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For he knows when people are worthless; so if he sees iniquity, won't he look into it?
12 But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born human.
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"An empty man can gain understanding, even if he was born like a wild donkey.
13 “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,
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If you will set your heart right, if you will spread out your hands toward him,
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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if you will put your iniquity at a distance and not let unrighteousness remain in your tents,
15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.
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then when you lift up your face, there will be no defect; you will be firm and free from fear.
16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
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"For you will forget your misery; you'll remember it like a flood that passed through long ago;
17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
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your life will be brighter than noon; even its darkness will be like morning.
18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
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You will be confident, because there is hope; you will look around you and lie down secure;
19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.
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you will rest, and no one will make you afraid. Many will seek your favor;
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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but the eyes of the wicked will fail [to find comfort]. They will find no way to escape, and their hope will turn to complete disappointment."
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.