| kjv | web | basic | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, | Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered, | Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said, | ||
| 2. | Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? | "Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified? | Are all these words to go unanswered? and is a man seen to be right because he is full of talk? | ||
| 3. | Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? | Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed? | Are your words of pride to make men keep quiet? and are you to make sport, with no one to put you to shame? | ||
| 4. | For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. | For you say, 'My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.' | You may say, My way is clean, and I am free from sin in your eyes. | ||
| 5. | But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; | But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you, | But if only God would take up the word, opening his lips in argument with you; | ||
| 6. | 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. | 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 would make clear to you the secrets of wisdom, and the wonders of his purpose! | ||
| 7. | Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? | "Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty? | Are you able to take God's measure, to make discovery of the limits of the Ruler of all? | ||
| 8. | It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? | They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol{Sheol is the place of the dead.}. What can you know? | They are higher than heaven; what is there for you to do? deeper than the underworld, and outside your knowledge; | ||
| 9. | The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. | Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. | Longer in measure than the earth, and wider than the sea. | ||
| 10. | If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? | If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him? | If he goes on his way, shutting a man up and putting him to death, who may make him go back from his purpose? | ||
| 11. | For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? | For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn't consider it. | For in his eyes men are as nothing; he sees evil and takes note of it. | ||
| 12. | For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. | An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt. | And so a hollow-minded man will get wisdom, when a young ass of the field gets teaching. | ||
| 13. | If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; | "If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him. | But if you put your heart right, stretching out your hands to him; | ||
| 14. | If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. | If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don't let unrighteousness dwell in your tents. | If you put far away the evil of your hands, and let no wrongdoing have a place in your tent; | ||
| 15. | For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: | Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear: | Then truly your face will be lifted up, with no mark of sin, and you will be fixed in your place without fear: | ||
| 16. | Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: | for you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it as waters that are passed away. | For your sorrow will go from your memory, like waters flowing away: | ||
| 17. | And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. | Life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning. | And your life will be brighter than day; though it is dark, it will become like the morning. | ||
| 18. | And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. | You shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety. | And you will be safe because there is hope; after looking round, you will take your rest in quiet; | ||
| 19. | Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. | Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. Yes, many shall court your favor. | Sleeping with no fear of danger; and men will be desiring to have grace in your eyes; | ||
| 20. | 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. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit." | But the eyes of the evil-doers will be wasting away; their way of flight is gone, and their only hope is the taking of their last breath. | ||