| New Living Translation | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: |
| 2“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking? | 2“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated? |
| 3Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed? | 3Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke? |
| 4You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’ | 4You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’ |
| 5If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! | 5But if only God would speak and open His lips against you, |
| 6If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom is not a simple matter. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve! | 6and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves. |
| 7“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? | 7Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 8Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know? | 8They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? |
| 9It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. | 9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? | 10If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him? |
| 11For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. | 11Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note? |
| 12An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child. | 12But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man! |
| 13“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! | 13As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him, |
| 14Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. | 14if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents, |
| 15Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. | 15then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid. |
| 16You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. | 16For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by. |
| 17Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. |
| 18Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. | 18You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety. |
| 19You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. | 19You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor. |
| 20But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.” | 20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.” |
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