New King James Version

New Living Translation

Zophar Urges Job to Repent

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

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Zophar’s First Response to Job

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:

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“Should not the multitude of words be answered?
And should [a]a man full of talk be vindicated?

2

“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words?
Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?

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Should your empty talk make men [b]hold their peace?
And when you mock, should no one rebuke you?

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Should I remain silent while you babble on?
When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?

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For you have said,
‘My doctrine is pure,
And I am clean in your eyes.’

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You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’
and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’

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But oh, that God would speak,
And open His lips against you,

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If only God would speak;
if only he would tell you what he thinks!

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That He would show you the secrets of wisdom!
For they would double your prudence.
Know therefore that God [c]exacts from you
Less than your iniquity deserves.

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If 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!

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“Can you search out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?

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“Can you solve the mysteries of God?
Can you discover everything about the Almighty?

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They are higher than heaven — what can you do?
Deeper than [d]Sheol — what can you know?

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Such knowledge is higher than the heavens —
and who are you?
It is deeper than the underworlda —
what do you know?

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Their measure is longer than the earth
And broader than the sea.

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It is broader than the earth
and wider than the sea.

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“If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment,
Then who can [e]hinder Him?

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If God comes and puts a person in prison
or calls the court to order, who can stop him?

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For He knows deceitful men;
He sees wickedness also.
Will He not then consider it?

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For he knows those who are false,
and he takes note of all their sins.

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For an empty-headed man will be wise,
When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.

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An empty-headed person won’t become wise
any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.b

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“If you would prepare your heart,
And stretch out your hands toward Him;

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“If only you would prepare your heart
and lift up your hands to him in prayer!

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If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away,
And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

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Get rid of your sins,
and leave all iniquity behind you.

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Then surely you could lift up your face without spot;
Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;

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Then your face will brighten with innocence.
You will be strong and free of fear.

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Because you would forget your misery,
And remember it as waters that have passed away,

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You will forget your misery;
it will be like water flowing away.

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And your life would be brighter than noonday.
Though you were dark, you would be like the morning.

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Your life will be brighter than the noonday.
Even darkness will be as bright as morning.

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And you would be secure, because there is hope;
Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety.

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Having hope will give you courage.
You will be protected and will rest in safety.

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You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid;
Yes, many would court your favor.

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You will lie down unafraid,
and many will look to you for help.

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But the eyes of the wicked will fail,
And they shall not escape,
And their hope — [f]loss of life!”

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But the wicked will be blinded.
They will have no escape.
Their only hope is death.”

Parallel

New King James Version

New Living Translation

Job 11

Job 11