| International Standard Version | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1Zophar from Naamath had this to say: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, |
| 2"Shouldn't a multitude of words be answered, or a person who talks too much be vindicated? | 2"Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a talkative man be acquitted? |
| 3Will your irrational babble silence people, and when you mock them, will you escape without being shamed? | 3"Shall your boasts silence men? And shall you scoff and none rebuke? |
| 4You've said, 'My teaching is flawless; I'm clean in God's sight.' | 4"For you have said, 'My teaching is pure, And I am innocent in your eyes.' |
| 5"But what if God were to speak? What if he were to talk with you, | 5"But would that God might speak, And open His lips against you, |
| 6and disclose his wise secrets? After all, there's so much more to understanding. So be aware that God will exact from you less than your sin deserves." | 6And show you the secrets of wisdom! For sound wisdom has two sides. Know then that God forgets a part of your iniquity. |
| 7"Can you search through God's complex things? Can you uncover the limits of the Almighty? | 7"Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 8These things are higher than the heavens, so what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol, so what can you know? | 8"They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know? |
| 9They are longer than the earth's circumference, and broader than the ocean. | 9"Its measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea. |
| 10"If he bypasses, or imprisons, or convenes a court, who can stop him? | 10"If He passes by or shuts up, Or calls an assembly, who can restrain Him? |
| 11For he knows mankind's deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won't he himself consider it? | 11"For He knows false men, And He sees iniquity without investigating. |
| 12An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!" | 12"An idiot will become intelligent When the foal of a wild donkey is born a man. |
| 13"Now for you, if you will prepare your heart, spread out your hands to him. | 13"If you would direct your heart right And spread out your hand to Him, |
| 14If you have any iniquity, throw it far away. Don't let evil live in your residence. | 14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, And do not let wickedness dwell in your tents; |
| 15Then your confidence will be flawless, and your security will keep you from terror. | 15"Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect, And you would be steadfast and not fear. |
| 16You'll forget your suffering; you'll remember it like water that has evaporated. | 16"For you would forget your trouble, As waters that have passed by, you would remember it. |
| 17Your life will be brighter than noonday. Even its darkness will be like dawn. | 17"Your life would be brighter than noonday; Darkness would be like the morning. |
| 18You'll be secure, because there is hope; you'll see that you're at rest and safe. | 18"Then you would trust, because there is hope; And you would look around and rest securely. |
| 19When you sleep, there'll be nothing to fear; and many will court your favor. | 19"You would lie down and none would disturb you, And many would entreat your favor. |
| 20But what the wicked look for will fail; their way of escape will be taken away from them; their only hope is to take their final breath." | 20"But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And there will be no escape for them; And their hope is to breathe their last." |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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