New International Version NIV
Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
1
Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:
2 “Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?
2
Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified?
3 Will your idle talk reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?
3
Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others, shall no man confute thee?
4 You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.’
4
For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.
5 Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you
5
And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,
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.
6
That he might shew thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his law is manifold, and thou mightest understand that he exacteth much less of thee, than thy iniquity deserveth.
7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
7
Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?
8 They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know?
8
He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know?
9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
9
The measure of him 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?
10
If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?
11 Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?
11
For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it?
12 But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born human.
12
A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass’s colt.
13 “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,
13
But thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.
14 if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
14
If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and let not injustice remain in thy tabernacle:
15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.
15
Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.
16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
16
Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away.
17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
17
And brightness like that of the noonday, shall arise to thee at evening: and when thou shalt think thyself consumed, thou shalt rise as the day star.
18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
18
And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure.
19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.
19
Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp.”
20
But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul.
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.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.