New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
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Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,
2 "Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and should one full of talk be vindicated?
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Are all these words to go unanswered? and is a man seen to be right because he is full of talk?
3 Should your babble put others to silence, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
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Are your words of pride to make men keep quiet? and are you to make sport, with no one to put you to shame?
4 For you say, "My conduct is pure, and I am clean in God's sight.'
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You may say, My way is clean, and I am free from sin in your eyes.
5 But O that God would speak, and open his lips to you,
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But if only God would take up the word, opening his lips in argument with you;
6 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.
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And would make clear to you the secrets of wisdom, and the wonders of his purpose!
7 "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
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Are you able to take God's measure, to make discovery of the limits of the Ruler of all?
8 It is higher than heaven —what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
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They are higher than heaven; what is there for you to do? deeper than the underworld, and outside your knowledge;
9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
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Longer in measure than the earth, and wider than the sea.
10 If he passes through, and imprisons, and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him?
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If he goes on his way, shutting a man up and putting him to death, who may make him go back from his purpose?
11 For he knows those who are worthless; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
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For in his eyes men are as nothing; he sees evil and takes note of it.
12 But a stupid person will get understanding, when a wild ass is born human.
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And so a hollow-minded man will get wisdom, when a young ass of the field gets teaching.
13 "If you direct your heart rightly, you will stretch out your hands toward him.
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But if you put your heart right, stretching out your hands to him;
14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.
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If you put far away the evil of your hands, and let no wrongdoing have a place in your tent;
15 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear.
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Then truly your face will be lifted up, with no mark of sin, and you will be fixed in your place without fear:
16 You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
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For your sorrow will go from your memory, like waters flowing away:
17 And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.
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And your life will be brighter than day; though it is dark, it will become like the morning.
18 And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety.
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And you will be safe because there is hope; after looking round, you will take your rest in quiet;
19 You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid; many will entreat your favor.
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Sleeping with no fear of danger; and men will be desiring to have grace in your eyes;
20 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."
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But the eyes of the evil-doers will be wasting away; their way of flight is gone, and their only hope is the taking of their last breath.
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.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.