| King James Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job: |
| 2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? | 2“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking? |
| 3Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? | 3Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed? |
| 4For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. | 4You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’ |
| 5But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; | 5If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! |
| 6And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. | 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! |
| 7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? | 7“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? |
| 8It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? | 8Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know? |
| 9The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. | 9It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? | 10If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? |
| 11For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? | 11For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. |
| 12For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. | 12An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child. |
| 13If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; | 13“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! |
| 14If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. | 14Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. |
| 15For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: | 15Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. |
| 16Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: | 16You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. |
| 17And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. |
| 18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. | 18Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. |
| 19Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. | 19You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. |
| 20But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. | 20But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.” |
| King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | 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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