1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,2“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?3Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?4You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.For thou sayest, My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in thine eyes.5But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;But oh that God would speak, And open his lips against thee,6and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.And 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.And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.7Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?8They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than Sheol; what canst thou know?9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea.10If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?If he pass through, and shut up, And call unto judgment, then who can hinder him?11Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?For he knoweth false men: He seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.12But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.But vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born as a wild ass’s colt.13As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;If thou set thy heart aright, And stretch out thy hands toward him;14if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, And let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents.15then indeed you will lift up your face without blemish; you will stand firm and unafraid.Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; Yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:16For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:For thou shalt forget thy misery; Thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away,17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.18You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; Yea, thou shalt search about thee, and shalt take thy rest in safety.19You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; Yea, many shall make suit unto thee.20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, And they shall have no way to flee; And their hope shall be the giving up of the ghost.
Berean Standard Bible (public domain).World English Bible (public domain).King James Version (public domain in the US).American Standard Version, 1901 (public domain).