| New International Version | New Living Translation |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job: |
| 2"Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to 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 others to silence? 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? |
| 4You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.' | 4You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’ |
| 5Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you | 5If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! |
| 6and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin. | 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 fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe 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 above--what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below--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. |
| 10"If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him? | 10If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? |
| 11Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note? | 11For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. |
| 12But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born human. | 12An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child. |
| 13"Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, | 13“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! |
| 14if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, | 14Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. |
| 15then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. | 15Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. |
| 16You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. | 16You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. |
| 17Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. |
| 18You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and 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 court your favor. | 19You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. |
| 20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp." | 20But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.” |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | 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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