| Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job: |
| 2Should this abundance of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted? | 2“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking? |
| 3Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you? | 3Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed? |
| 4You have said, "My teaching is sound, and I am pure in your sight." | 4You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’ |
| 5But if only God would speak and open his lips against you! | 5If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! |
| 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 iniquity. | 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! |
| 7Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? | 7“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? |
| 8They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol--what can you know? | 8Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know? |
| 9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. | 9It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10If he passes by and throws someone in prison or convenes a court, who can stop him? | 10If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, 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 those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. |
| 12But a stupid person will gain understanding as soon as a wild donkey is born a human! | 12An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child. |
| 13As for you, if you redirect your heart and spread out your hands to him in prayer-- | 13“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! |
| 14if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it, and don't allow injustice to dwell in your tents-- | 14Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. |
| 15then you will hold your head high, free from fault. You will be firmly established and unafraid. | 15Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. |
| 16For you will forget your suffering, recalling it only as water that has flowed by. | 16You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. |
| 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. |
| 18You will be confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. | 18Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. |
| 19You will lie down with no one to frighten you, and many will seek your favor. | 19You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. |
| 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 the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.” |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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