| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: |
| 2“Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated? | 2Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted? |
| 3Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you? | 3Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you? |
| 4For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.’ | 4You have said, "My teaching is sound, and I am pure in Your sight." |
| 5But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips against you, | 5But if only God would speak and declare His case against you, |
| 6That He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves. | 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. |
| 7“Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? | 7Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 8They are 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? |
| 9Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea. | 9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10“If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him? | 10If He passes by and throws someone in prison or convenes a court, who can stop Him? |
| 11For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it? | 11Surely He knows which people are worthless. If He sees iniquity, will He not take note of it? |
| 12For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man. | 12But a stupid man will gain understanding as soon as a wild donkey is born a man! |
| 13“If you would prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him; | 13As for you, if you redirect your heart and lift up your hands to Him in prayer-- |
| 14If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents; | 14if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it, and don't allow injustice to dwell in your tents-- |
| 15Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear; | 15then you will hold your head high, free from fault. You will be firmly established and unafraid. |
| 16Because you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away, | 16For you will forget your suffering, recalling it only as waters that have flowed by. |
| 17And your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. |
| 18And you would be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety. | 18You will be confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. |
| 19You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court your favor. | 19You will lie down without fear, and many will seek your favor. |
| 20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And they shall not escape, And their hope— loss of life!” | 20But the sight of the wicked will fail. Their way of escape will be cut off, and their only hope is their last breath. |
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