| NET Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke up and said: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job: |
| 2"Should not this abundance of words be answered, or should this talkative man be vindicated? | 2“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking? |
| 3Will your idle talk reduce people to silence, and will no one rebuke you when you mock? | 3Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed? |
| 4For you have said, 'My teaching is flawless, 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, if only he would open his lips against you, | 5If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! |
| 6and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom--for true wisdom has two sides--so that you would know that God has forgiven some of your sins. | 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! |
| 7"Can you discover the essence of God? Can you find out the perfection of the Almighty? | 7“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? |
| 8It is higher than the heavens--what can you do? It is 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? |
| 9Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. | 9It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10If he comes by and confines you and convenes a court, then who can prevent him? | 10If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? |
| 11For he knows deceitful men; when he sees evil, will he not consider it? | 11For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. |
| 12But an empty man will become wise, when a wild donkey's colt is born a human being. | 12An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child. |
| 13"As for you, if you prove faithful, and if you stretch out your hands toward him, | 13“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! |
| 14if iniquity is in your hand--put it far away, and do not let evil reside in your tents. | 14Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. |
| 15For then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be securely established and will not fear. | 15Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. |
| 16For you will forget your trouble; you will remember it like water that has flowed away. | 16You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. |
| 17And life will be brighter than the noonday; though there be darkness, it will be like the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. |
| 18And you will be secure, because there is hope; you will be protected and will take your rest 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 make you afraid, and many will seek your favor. | 19You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. |
| 20But the eyes of the wicked fail, and escape eludes them; their one hope is to breathe their last." | 20But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.” |
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