Parallel Verses

New Heart English Bible

"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?

A Conservative Version

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

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, 2 "Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself. 3 Is it any pleasure to Shaddai, that you are righteous? Or does it benefit him, that you make your ways perfect?

Cross References

Luke 17:10

Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.'"

Deuteronomy 10:13

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

Job 21:15

What is Shaddai, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?'

Job 35:6-8

If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

Psalm 16:2

My soul, you have said to the LORD, "You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing."

Proverbs 3:13-18

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.

Proverbs 4:7-9

Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

Proverbs 9:12

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

Ecclesiastes 7:11-12

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

Matthew 5:29

And if your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you.[note: idiom meaning to stop doing a sin] For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Galatians 6:7-8

Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that 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