Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
New Living Translation NLT
1 Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:
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Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:
2 Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified?
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“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?
3 Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others, shall no man confute thee?
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Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?
4 For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.
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You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’
5 And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,
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If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks!
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.
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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!
7 Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?
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“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
8 He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know?
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Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know?
9 The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
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It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea.
10 If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?
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If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him?
11 For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it?
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For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins.
12 A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass’s colt.
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An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.
13 But thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.
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“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer!
14 If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and let not injustice remain in thy tabernacle:
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Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you.
15 Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.
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Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear.
16 Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away.
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You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away.
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.
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Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning.
18 And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure.
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Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
19 Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face.
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You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help.
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.
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But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.”