New International Version NIV
Third Millennium Bible TMB
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
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Then answered Zophar the Naamathite and said:
2 “Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?
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"Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?
3 Will your idle talk reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?
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Should thy lies make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
4 You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.’
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For thou hast said, `My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in Thine eyes.'
5 Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you
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But oh, that God would speak and open His lips against 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.
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and that He would show thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
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"Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
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 as high as heaven: What canst thou do? Deeper than hell: What canst thou know?
9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
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The measure thereof 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 cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then 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 knoweth vain men; He seeth wickedness also. Will He not then 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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For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
13 “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,
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"If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine 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 be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.
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For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast and shalt not fear,
16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
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because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away.
17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
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And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as 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 thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy 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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Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
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 shall fail, and they shall not escape; and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost."
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.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.