| Holman Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: | 1Zophar from Naamath had this to say: |
| 2Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted? | 2"Shouldn't a multitude of words be answered, or a person who talks too much be vindicated? |
| 3Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you? | 3Will your irrational babble silence people, and when you mock them, will you escape without being shamed? |
| 4You have said, "My teaching is sound, and I am pure in Your sight." | 4You've said, 'My teaching is flawless; I'm clean in God's sight.' |
| 5But if only God would speak and declare His case against you, | 5"But what if God were to speak? What if he were to talk with you, |
| 6He would show you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your sin. | 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." |
| 7Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? | 7"Can you search through God's complex things? Can you uncover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 8They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol--what can you know? | 8These things are higher than the heavens, so what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol, so what can you know? |
| 9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. | 9They are longer than the earth's circumference, and broader than the ocean. |
| 10If He passes by and throws someone in prison or convenes a court, who can stop Him? | 10"If he bypasses, or imprisons, or convenes a court, who can stop him? |
| 11Surely He knows which people are worthless. If He sees iniquity, will He not take note of it? | 11For he knows mankind's deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won't he himself consider it? |
| 12But a stupid man will gain understanding as soon as a wild donkey is born a man! | 12An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!" |
| 13As for you, if you redirect your heart and lift up your hands to Him in prayer-- | 13"Now for you, if you will prepare your heart, spread out your hands to him. |
| 14if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it, and don't allow injustice to dwell in your tents-- | 14If you have any iniquity, throw it far away. Don't let evil live in your residence. |
| 15then you will hold your head high, free from fault. You will be firmly established and unafraid. | 15Then your confidence will be flawless, and your security will keep you from terror. |
| 16For you will forget your suffering, recalling it only as waters that have flowed by. | 16You'll forget your suffering; you'll remember it like water that has evaporated. |
| 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than noonday. Even its darkness will be like dawn. |
| 18You will be confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. | 18You'll be secure, because there is hope; you'll see that you're at rest and safe. |
| 19You will lie down without fear, and many will seek your favor. | 19When you sleep, there'll be nothing to fear; and many will court your favor. |
| 20But the sight of the wicked will fail. Their way of escape will be cut off, and their only hope is their last breath. | 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." |
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