New International Version NIV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
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Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 “Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?
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"Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and should one full of talk be vindicated?
3 Will your idle talk reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?
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Should your babble put others to silence, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
4 You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.’
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For you say, "My conduct is pure, and I am clean in God's sight.'
5 Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you
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But O that God would speak, and open his lips to 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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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 fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits 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 above—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below—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 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
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Its measure 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, and imprisons, and assembles for judgment, who can hinder 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 worthless; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
12 But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born human.
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But a stupid person will get understanding, when a wild ass is born human.
13 “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,
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"If you direct your heart rightly, you will stretch 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 iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness reside 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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Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear.
16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
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You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become 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, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
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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, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.
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You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid; many will entreat 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; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last."
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.
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.