| New King James Version | International Standard Version |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: | 1Zophar from Naamath had this to say: |
| 2“Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated? | 2"Shouldn't a multitude of words be answered, or a person who talks too much be vindicated? |
| 3Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you? | 3Will your irrational babble silence people, and when you mock them, will you escape without being shamed? |
| 4For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.’ | 4You've said, 'My teaching is flawless; I'm clean in God's sight.' |
| 5But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips against you, | 5"But what if God were to speak? What if he were to talk with you, |
| 6That He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves. | 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." |
| 7“Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? | 7"Can you search through God's complex things? Can you uncover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 8They are higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? | 8These things are higher than the heavens, so what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol, so what can you know? |
| 9Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea. | 9They are longer than the earth's circumference, and broader than the ocean. |
| 10“If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him? | 10"If he bypasses, or imprisons, or convenes a court, who can stop him? |
| 11For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it? | 11For he knows mankind's deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won't he himself consider it? |
| 12For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man. | 12An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!" |
| 13“If you would prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him; | 13"Now for you, if you will prepare your heart, spread out your hands to him. |
| 14If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents; | 14If you have any iniquity, throw it far away. Don't let evil live in your residence. |
| 15Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear; | 15Then your confidence will be flawless, and your security will keep you from terror. |
| 16Because you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away, | 16You'll forget your suffering; you'll remember it like water that has evaporated. |
| 17And your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than noonday. Even its darkness will be like dawn. |
| 18And you would be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety. | 18You'll be secure, because there is hope; you'll see that you're at rest and safe. |
| 19You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court your favor. | 19When you sleep, there'll be nothing to fear; and many will court your favor. |
| 20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And they shall not escape, And their hope— loss of life!” | 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." |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
|
