| English Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: |
| 2“Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right? | 2Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted? |
| 3Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you? | 3Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you? |
| 4For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God’s 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 to you, | 5But if only God would speak and declare His case against you, |
| 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. | 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 find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? | 7Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 8It is 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? |
| 9Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. | 9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back? | 10If He passes by and throws someone in prison or convenes a court, who can stop Him? |
| 11For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? | 11Surely He knows which people are worthless. If He sees iniquity, will He not take note of it? |
| 12But a stupid man will get understanding 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 prepare your heart, you will 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 is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. | 14if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it, and don't allow injustice to dwell in your tents-- |
| 15Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. | 15then you will hold your head high, free from fault. You will be firmly established and unafraid. |
| 16You will forget your misery; you will 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 will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. |
| 18And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. | 18You will be confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. |
| 19You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor. | 19You will lie down without fear, and many will seek your favor. |
| 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.” | 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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