< Job 11 >

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
Respondens autem Sophar Naamathites, dixit:
2 “Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
Numquid qui multa loquitur, non et audiet? aut vir verbosus iustificabitur?
3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
Tibi soli tacebunt homines? et cum ceteros irriseris, a nullo confutaberis?
4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’
Dixisti enim: Purus est sermo meus, et mundus sum in conspectu tuo.
5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,
Atque utinam Deus loqueretur tecum, et aperiret labia sua tibi,
6 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.
Ut ostenderet tibi secreta sapientiae, et quod multiplex esset lex eius, et intelligeres quod multo minora exigaris ab eo, quam meretur iniquitas tua.
7 “Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
Forsitan vestigia Dei comprehendes, et usque ad perfectum Omnipotentem reperies?
8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? (Sheol h7585)
Excelsior caelo est, et quid facies? profundior inferno, et unde cognosces? (Sheol h7585)
9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
Longior terra mensura eius, et latior mari.
10 If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
Si subverterit omnia, vel in unum coarctaverit, quis contradicet ei?
11 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
Ipse enim novit hominum vanitatem, et videns iniquitatem, nonne considerat?
12 An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
Vir vanus in superbiam erigitur, et tamquam pullum onagri se liberum natum putat.
13 “If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands towards him.
Tu autem firmasti cor tuum, et expandisti ad eum manus tuas.
14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
Si iniquitatem, quae est in manu tua, abstuleris a te, et non manserit in tabernaculo tuo iniustitia:
15 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,
Tunc levare poteris faciem tuam absque macula, et eris stabilis, et non timebis.
16 for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
Miseriae quoque oblivisceris, et quasi aquarum quae praeterierunt recordaberis.
17 Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
Et quasi meridianus fulgor consurget tibi ad vesperam: et cum te consumptum putaveris, orieris ut lucifer.
18 You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
Et habebis fiduciam, proposita tibi spe, et defossus securus dormies.
19 Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favour.
Requiesces, et non erit qui te exterreat: et deprecabuntur faciem tuam plurimi.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”
Oculi autem impiorum deficient, et effugium peribit ab eis, et spes illorum abominatio animae.

< Job 11 >