New International Version NIV
New Living Translation NLT
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
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Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:
2 “Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?
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“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?
3 Will your idle talk reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?
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Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone 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, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’
5 Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you
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If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks!
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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If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom is not a simple matter. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve!
7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
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“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
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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Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know?
9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
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It is broader than the earth and wider 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 God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him?
11 Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?
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For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins.
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-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.
13 “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,
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“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer!
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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Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you.
15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.
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Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear.
16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
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You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away.
17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
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Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as 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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Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.
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You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help.
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 wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.”
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Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.