| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke up and said: |
| 2“Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated? | 2"Should not this abundance of words be answered, or should this talkative man be vindicated? |
| 3Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you? | 3Will your idle talk reduce people to silence, and will no one rebuke you when you mock? |
| 4For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.’ | 4For you have said, 'My teaching is flawless, 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, if only he would open his lips 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. | 6and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom--for true wisdom has two sides--so that you would know that God has forgiven some of your sins. |
| 7“Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? | 7"Can you discover the essence of God? Can you find out the perfection of the Almighty? |
| 8They are higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? | 8It is higher than the heavens--what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol--what can you know? |
| 9Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea. | 9Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. |
| 10“If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him? | 10If he comes by and confines you and convenes a court, then who can prevent him? |
| 11For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it? | 11For he knows deceitful men; when he sees evil, will he not consider it? |
| 12For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man. | 12But an empty man will become wise, when a wild donkey's colt is born a human being. |
| 13“If you would prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him; | 13"As for you, if you prove faithful, and if you stretch out your hands toward him, |
| 14If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents; | 14if iniquity is in your hand--put it far away, and do not let evil reside in your tents. |
| 15Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear; | 15For then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be securely established and will not fear. |
| 16Because you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away, | 16For you will forget your trouble; you will remember it like water that has flowed away. |
| 17And your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning. | 17And life will be brighter than the noonday; though there be darkness, it 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. | 18And you will be secure, because there is hope; you will be protected and will take your rest in safety. |
| 19You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court your favor. | 19You will lie down with no one to make you afraid, 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 eyes of the wicked fail, and escape eludes them; their one hope is to breathe their last." |
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