| New Living Translation | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: |
| 2“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking? | 2Should this abundance of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted? |
| 3Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed? | 3Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you? |
| 4You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’ | 4You have said, "My teaching is sound, and I am pure in your sight." |
| 5If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! | 5But if only God would speak and open his lips against you! |
| 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! | 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 iniquity. |
| 7“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? | 7Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? |
| 8Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know? | 8They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol--what can you know? |
| 9It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. | 9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. |
| 10If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? | 10If he passes by and throws someone in prison or convenes a court, who can stop him? |
| 11For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. | 11Surely he knows which people are worthless. If he sees iniquity, will he not take note of it? |
| 12An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child. | 12But a stupid person will gain understanding as soon as a wild donkey is born a human! |
| 13“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! | 13As for you, if you redirect your heart and spread out your hands to him in prayer-- |
| 14Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. | 14if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it, and don't allow injustice to dwell in your tents-- |
| 15Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. | 15then you will hold your head high, free from fault. You will be firmly established and unafraid. |
| 16You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. | 16For you will forget your suffering, recalling it only as water that has flowed by. |
| 17Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. | 17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. |
| 18Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. | 18You will be confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. |
| 19You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. | 19You will lie down with no one to frighten you, and many will seek your favor. |
| 20But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.” | 20But the sight of the wicked will fail. Their way of escape will be cut off, and their only hope is their last breath. |
| 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. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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