| English Standard Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: |
| 2“Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right? | 2“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated? |
| 3Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you? | 3Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke? |
| 4For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God’s eyes.’ | 4You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’ |
| 5But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you, | 5But if only God would speak and open His lips against you, |
| 6and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves. | 6and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves. |
| 7“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? | 7Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 8It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? | 8They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? |
| 9Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. | 9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back? | 10If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him? |
| 11For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? | 11Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note? |
| 12But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man! | 12But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man! |
| 13“If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. | 13As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him, |
| 14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. | 14if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents, |
| 15Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. | 15then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid. |
| 16You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. | 16For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by. |
| 17And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. |
| 18And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. | 18You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety. |
| 19You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor. | 19You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor. |
| 20But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last.” | 20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.” |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. |
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