| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Zophar from Naamath had this to say: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: |
| 2"Shouldn't a multitude of words be answered, or a person who talks too much be vindicated? | 2Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted? |
| 3Will your irrational babble silence people, and when you mock them, will you escape without being shamed? | 3Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you? |
| 4You've said, 'My teaching is flawless; I'm clean in God's sight.' | 4You have said, "My teaching is sound, and I am pure in Your sight." |
| 5"But what if God were to speak? What if he were to talk with you, | 5But if only God would speak and declare His case against you, |
| 6and disclose his wise secrets? After all, there's so much more to understanding. So be aware that God will exact from you less than your sin 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 through God's complex things? Can you uncover the limits of the Almighty? | 7Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 8These things are higher than the heavens, so what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol, so what can you know? | 8They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol--what can you know? |
| 9They are longer than the earth's circumference, and broader than the ocean. | 9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10"If he bypasses, or imprisons, or convenes a court, who can stop him? | 10If He passes by and throws someone in prison or convenes a court, who can stop Him? |
| 11For he knows mankind's deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won't he himself consider it? | 11Surely He knows which people are worthless. If He sees iniquity, will He not take note of it? |
| 12An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!" | 12But a stupid man will gain understanding as soon as a wild donkey is born a man! |
| 13"Now for you, if you will prepare your heart, spread out your hands to him. | 13As for you, if you redirect your heart and lift up your hands to Him in prayer-- |
| 14If you have any iniquity, throw it far away. Don't let evil live in your residence. | 14if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it, and don't allow injustice to dwell in your tents-- |
| 15Then your confidence will be flawless, and your security will keep you from terror. | 15then you will hold your head high, free from fault. You will be firmly established and unafraid. |
| 16You'll forget your suffering; you'll remember it like water that has evaporated. | 16For you will forget your suffering, recalling it only as waters that have flowed by. |
| 17Your life will be brighter than noonday. Even its darkness will be like dawn. | 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. |
| 18You'll be secure, because there is hope; you'll see that you're at rest and safe. | 18You will be confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. |
| 19When you sleep, there'll be nothing to fear; and many will court your favor. | 19You will lie down without fear, and many will seek your favor. |
| 20But what the wicked look for will fail; their way of escape will be taken away from them; their only hope is to take their final breath." | 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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