New Living Translation NLT
Common English Bible CEB
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:
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Zophar from Naamah responded:
2 “Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?
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Should all these words go unanswered or a wordy man be justified?
3 Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?
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Will your idle talk silence everyone; will you mock and not be put to shame?
4 You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’
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You've said, "My teaching is pure, and I'm clean in God's eyes."
5 If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks!
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But oh, that God would speak, open his lips against you
6 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!
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and tell you secrets of wisdom; for sound insight has two sides. Know that God lets some of your sin be forgotten.
7 “Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
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Can you find the secret of God or find the extent of the Almighty?
8 Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know?
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They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? Deeper than the underworld—what can you know?
9 It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea.
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Its measurement is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.
10 If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him?
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If God passes by, imprisons someone, and calls a trial, who can stop him?
11 For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins.
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He knows worthless people, sees sin, and certainly takes note.
12 An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.
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A stupid person becomes intelligent when a wild ass of a person is born tame.
13 “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer!
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If you make your mind resolute and spread your palms to him,
14 Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you.
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if you throw out the sin in your hands and don't let injustice dwell in your tents,
15 Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear.
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then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and not fear.
16 You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away.
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You will forget trouble; you will remember it as water that flows past.
17 Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning.
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A life span will rise brighter than noon; darkness will be like morning.
18 Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
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You will be secure, for there is hope; you will look around and rest safely.
19 You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help.
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You will lie down without anyone to scare you; many will beg for your favor.
20 But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.”
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The eyes of the wicked will grow faint; flight has vanished from them; their hope is a dying gasp.
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.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible