| International Standard Version | English Standard Version |
| 1Zophar from Naamath had this to say: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: |
| 2"Shouldn't a multitude of words be answered, or a person who talks too much be vindicated? | 2“Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right? |
| 3Will your irrational babble silence people, and when you mock them, will you escape without being shamed? | 3Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you? |
| 4You've said, 'My teaching is flawless; I'm clean in God's sight.' | 4For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God’s eyes.’ |
| 5"But what if God were to speak? What if he were to talk with you, | 5But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to 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 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. |
| 7"Can you search through God's complex things? Can you uncover the limits of the Almighty? | 7“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit 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? | 8It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? |
| 9They are longer than the earth's circumference, and broader than the ocean. | 9Its 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? | 10If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back? |
| 11For he knows mankind's deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won't he himself consider it? | 11For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? |
| 12An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!" | 12But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man! |
| 13"Now for you, if you will prepare your heart, spread out your hands to him. | 13“If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward 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 let not injustice dwell in your tents. |
| 15Then your confidence will be flawless, and your security will keep you from terror. | 15Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. |
| 16You'll forget your suffering; you'll remember it like water that has evaporated. | 16You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. |
| 17Your life will be brighter than noonday. Even its darkness will be like dawn. | 17And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. |
| 18You'll be secure, because there is hope; you'll see that you're at rest and safe. | 18And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. |
| 19When you sleep, there'll be nothing to fear; and many will court your favor. | 19You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court 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." | 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.” |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | 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. |
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