Job 11

1 Alors Sophar de Naama prit la parole et dit:

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

2 La multitude des paroles restera-t-elle sans réponse, et le bavard aura-t-il raison?

“Should not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?

3 Tes vains propos feront-ils taire les gens? Te moqueras-tu, sans que personne te confonde?

Should your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?

4 Tu as dit à Dieu: « Ma pensée est la vraie, et je suis irréprochable devant toi. »

For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'

5 Oh! Si Dieu voulait parler, s’il ouvrait les lèvres pour te répondre;

But, oh, that God would speak and open his lips against you;

6 s’il te révélait les secrets de sa sagesse, les replis cachés de ses desseins, tu verrais alors qu’il oublie une part de tes crimes.

that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For he is great in understanding. Know then that God demands from you less than your iniquity deserves.

7 Prétends-tu sonder les profondeurs de Dieu, atteindre la perfection du Tout-Puissant?

Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?

8 Elle est haute comme les cieux: que feras-tu? Plus profonde que le séjour des morts: que sauras-tu? (Sheol h7585)

The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Sa mesure est plus longue que la terre, elle est plus large que la mer.

Its measure is longer than the earth, and wider than the sea.

10 S’il fond sur le coupable, s’il l’arrête, s’il convoque le tribunal, qui s’y opposera?

If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?

11 Car il connaît les pervers, il découvre l’iniquité avant qu’elle s’en doute.

For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?

12 A cette vue, le fou même comprendrait, et le petit de l’onagre deviendrait raisonnable.

But foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.

13 Pour toi, si tu diriges ton cœur vers Dieu, et que tu étendes vers lui tes bras,

But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;

14 si tu éloignes l’iniquité qui est dans tes mains, et que tu ne laisses pas l’injustice habiter sous ta tente,

suppose that iniquity were in your hand, but that then you put it far away from you, and did not let unrighteousness live in your tents.

15 alors tu lèveras ton front sans tache, tu seras inébranlable et tu ne craindras plus.

Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.

16 Tu oublieras alors tes souffrances, tu t’en souviendras comme des eaux écoulées;

You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.

17 L’avenir se lèvera pour toi plus brillant que le midi, les ténèbres se changeront en aurore.

Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.

18 Tu seras plein de confiance, et ton attente ne sera pas veine; tu regarderas autour de toi, et tu te coucheras tranquille.

You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.

19 Tu reposeras, sans que personne t’inquiète, et plusieurs caresseront ton visage.

Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek your favor.

20 Mais les yeux des méchants se consumeront: pour eux, pas de refuge; leur espérance est le souffle d’un mourant.

But the eyes of wicked people will fail; they will have no way to flee; their only hope will be a last gasp of life.”