Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:
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Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified?
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"Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and should one full of talk be vindicated?
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 your babble put others to silence, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
4 For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.
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For you say, "My conduct is pure, and I am clean in God's sight.'
5 And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,
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But O that God would speak, and open his lips to you,
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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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.
7 Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?
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"Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of 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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It is higher than heaven —what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
9 The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
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Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?
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If he passes through, and imprisons, and assembles for judgment, who can hinder 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 worthless; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
12 A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass’s colt.
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But a stupid person will get understanding, when a wild ass is born human.
13 But thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.
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"If you direct your heart rightly, you will stretch out your hands toward him.
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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If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.
15 Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.
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Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not 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; you will remember it as waters that have passed 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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And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.
18 And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure.
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And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your 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, and no one will make you afraid; many will entreat your favor.
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 eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last."
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.
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.