Parallel Verses

A Conservative Version

Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.

New American Standard Bible

“Can a vigorous man be of use to God,
Or a wise man be useful to himself?

King James Version

Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

Holman Bible

Can a man be of any use to God?
Can even a wise man be of use to Him?

International Standard Version

"Can a human being be useful to God, since he, who is wise, is sufficient to himself?

American Standard Version

Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself.

Amplified


“Can a vigorous man be of use to God,
Or a wise man be useful to himself?

Bible in Basic English

Is it possible for a man to be of profit to God? No, for a man's wisdom is only of profit to himself.

Darby Translation

Can a man be profitable to God? surely it is unto himself that the wise man is profitable.

Julia Smith Translation

Shall a man profit to God as he understanding shall profit for himself?

King James 2000

Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

Lexham Expanded Bible

"Can a man be of use to God? Yes, can [the] wise be of use to him?

Modern King James verseion

Can a man be useful to God, as he who is wise may be useful to himself?

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

"May a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

NET Bible

"Is it to God that a strong man is of benefit? Is it to him that even a wise man is profitable?

New Heart English Bible

"Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.

The Emphasized Bible

Unto GOD, can a man act as friend? Surely a discreet man befriendeth himself!

Webster

Can a man be profitable to God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself?

World English Bible

"Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.

Youngs Literal Translation

To God is a man profitable, Because a wise man to himself is profitable?

Topics

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
Can a man
גּבר 
Geber 
Usage: 65

אל 
'el 
Usage: 114

as

Usage: 0

he that is wise
שׂכל 
Sakal 
Usage: 63

Context Readings

Eliphaz's Third Speech

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered, and said, 2 Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself. 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou are righteous? Or is it gain [to him] that thou make thy ways perfect?

Cross References

Luke 17:10

Thus ye also, when ye did all the things that were commanded you, say, We are unprofitable bondmen, because we have done what we are obligated to do.

Deuteronomy 10:13

to keep the commandments of LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

Job 21:15

What is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray to him?

Job 35:6-8

If thou have sinned, what do thou effect against him? And if thy transgressions be multiplied, what do thou to him?

Psalm 16:2

Thou [my soul] have said to LORD, Thou are my LORD. I have no good beyond thee.

Proverbs 3:13-18

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding.

Proverbs 4:7-9

Wisdom [is] the principal thing. Get wisdom, yea, with all thy getting get understanding.

Proverbs 9:12

If thou are wise, thou are wise for thyself. And if thou scoff, thou alone shall bear it.

Ecclesiastes 7:11-12

Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

Matthew 5:29

And if thy right eye causes thee to stumble, remove it and cast it from thee, for it is advantageous for thee that one of thy body-parts should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.

Galatians 6:7-8

Be not misled, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows this he will also reap.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain