New Living Translation

New King James Version

Zophar’s First Response to Job

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:

1

Zophar Urges Job to Repent

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

2

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

2

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

3

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

3

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

4

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

4

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

5

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

5

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

6

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!

6

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.

7

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

7

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

8

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

8

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

9

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

9

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

10

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

10

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

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

11

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

12

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

12

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

13

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

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

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

14

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

15

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

15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20

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

20

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

Parallel

New Living Translation

New King James Version

Job 11

Job 11