Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? New Living Translation Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air? What makes you keep on talking? English Standard Version Shall windy words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? Berean Standard Bible Is there no end to your long-winded speeches? What provokes you to continue testifying? King James Bible Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? New King James Version Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? New American Standard Bible “Is there no end to windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer? NASB 1995 “Is there no limit to windy words? Or what plagues you that you answer? NASB 1977 “Is there no limit to windy words? Or what plagues you that you answer? Legacy Standard Bible Is there no end to windy words? Or what pains you that you answer? Amplified Bible “Is there no end to [your futile] words of wind? Or what plagues you [so much] that you [so boldly] answer [me like this]? Christian Standard Bible Is there no end to your empty words? What provokes you that you continue testifying? Holman Christian Standard Bible Is there no end to your empty words? What provokes you that you continue testifying? American Standard Version Shall vain words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest? Contemporary English Version So why don't you keep quiet? What's bothering you? English Revised Version Shall vain words have an end? or what provoketh thee that thou answerest? GOD'S WORD® Translation Will [your] long-winded speeches never end? What disturbs you that you keep on answering [me]? Good News Translation Are you going to keep on talking forever? Do you always have to have the last word? International Standard Version Will windy words like yours never end? What is upsetting you that you keep on arguing? Majority Standard Bible Is there no end to your long-winded speeches? What provokes you to continue testifying? NET Bible Will there be an end to your windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer? New Heart English Bible Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? Webster's Bible Translation Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? World English Bible Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIs there an end to words of wind? Or what emboldens you that you answer? Young's Literal Translation Is there an end to words of wind? Or what doth embolden thee that thou answerest? Smith's Literal Translation Was there an end to words of wind? or what will provoke thee that thou wilt answer? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleShall windy words have no end? or is it any trouble to thee to speak? Catholic Public Domain Version Will there be no end to windy words? Or is it at all a burden to you, if you speak? New American Bible Is there no end to windy words? What sickness makes you rattle on? New Revised Standard Version Have windy words no limit? Or what provokes you that you keep on talking? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleDo not grieve my spirit with words; even though you speak, I will not answer. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Do not grieve my spirit with words. Even though you will speak to me, I am not answering OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Shall windy words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest? Brenton Septuagint Translation What! is there any reason in vain words? or what will hinder thee from answering? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job Decries his Comforters…2“I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all. 3Is there no end to your long-winded speeches? What provokes you to continue testifying? 4I could also speak like you if you were in my place; I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you.… Cross References Proverbs 18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. Proverbs 17:27 A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. Proverbs 29:11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. Ecclesiastes 5:3 As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words. James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, Proverbs 12:18 Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. Proverbs 14:7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. Treasury of Scripture Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldens you that you answer? vain words. Job 6:26 Job 8:2 Job 15:2 what emboldeneth Job 20:3 Job 32:3-6 Matthew 22:46 Jump to Previous Ails Arguing End Limit Plagues Provokes Provoketh Speeches Stopped Troubling Vain Wind Windy WordsJump to Next Ails Arguing End Limit Plagues Provokes Provoketh Speeches Stopped Troubling Vain Wind Windy WordsJob 16 1. Job reproves his friends for unmercifulness17. He maintains his innocence Is there no end This phrase captures Job's exasperation with his friends' relentless speeches. The Hebrew root here, "קֵץ" (qets), implies a boundary or limit. Job is questioning the seemingly endless nature of their discourse. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of lengthy dialogues in wisdom literature, where friends or counselors would engage in extended debates. Job's frustration is palpable, as he seeks relief from their verbose and unhelpful counsel. to your long-winded speeches? What provokes you to continue testifying? Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, enduring immense suffering and questioning the reasons behind it. 2. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar Job's three friends who visit him to offer comfort but end up engaging in lengthy debates, suggesting that Job's suffering is due to his sin. 3. Uz The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia. 4. God The ultimate authority and sovereign being, whose purposes and plans are central to the account of Job. 5. Satan The adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that his faithfulness is due to his prosperity. Teaching Points The Power of WordsWords have the power to heal or hurt. Job's friends intended to comfort but ended up causing more pain through their assumptions and lengthy arguments. Believers should be mindful of their words, ensuring they align with truth and love. Listening Over Speaking Job's frustration with his friends' speeches underscores the importance of listening more than speaking. In times of suffering, offering a listening ear can be more comforting than offering advice. Understanding Suffering Job's experience reminds us that suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin. Believers should be cautious in making assumptions about the reasons behind others' trials. Patience in Trials Job's endurance through his friends' misguided counsel and his own suffering is a testament to patience. Christians are called to remain steadfast, trusting in God's ultimate justice and wisdom. Seeking God's Wisdom In the face of human reasoning and debate, seeking God's wisdom through prayer and scripture is paramount. Job's account encourages believers to turn to God for understanding rather than relying solely on human insight.(3) Shall vain words have an end?--The English idiom rather requires, "Shall not vain words have an end? for if not, what emboldeneth or provoketh thee that thou answerest?" Eliphaz had contributed nothing to the discussion in his last reply; he had simply reiterated what had been said before.Verse 3. - Shall vain words have an end? literally, as in the margin, words of wind; i.e. words which pass by a man "as the idle wind which he regards not." Will his friends never bring their futile speaking to a close? Or what emboldeneth thee that thou anwerest? rather, what provoketh thee? (Revised Version) Job had begged that his friends would be silent (Job 13:5, 13). He supposes that they would have complied with his wish if he had not provoked them, but professes an inability to see what provocation he had given. His last speech, however, had certainly not been conciliatory (see Job 12:1-3; Job 13:4, 7, etc.). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Is there no endהֲקֵ֥ץ (hă·qêṣ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7093: An extremity, after to your long-winded ר֑וּחַ (rū·aḥ) Noun - common singular Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit speeches? לְדִבְרֵי־ (lə·ḏiḇ·rê-) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause What מַה־ (mah-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what provokes you יַּ֝מְרִֽיצְךָ֗ (yam·rî·ṣə·ḵā) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 4834: To press, to be pungent, vehement, to irritate to כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction continue testifying? תַעֲנֶֽה׃ (ṯa·‘ă·neh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond Links Job 16:3 NIVJob 16:3 NLT Job 16:3 ESV Job 16:3 NASB Job 16:3 KJV Job 16:3 BibleApps.com Job 16:3 Biblia Paralela Job 16:3 Chinese Bible Job 16:3 French Bible Job 16:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 16:3 Shall vain words have an end? 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