< Job 11 >

1 respondens autem Sophar Naamathites dixit
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
2 numquid qui multa loquitur non et audiet aut vir verbosus iustificabitur
“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?
3 tibi soli tacebunt homines et cum ceteros inriseris a nullo confutaberis
Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?
4 dixisti enim purus est sermo meus et mundus sum in conspectu tuo
You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’
5 atque utinam Deus loqueretur tecum et aperiret labia sua tibi
But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,
6 ut ostenderet tibi secreta sapientiae et quod multiplex esset lex eius et intellegeres quod multo minora exigaris a Deo quam meretur iniquitas tua
and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.
7 forsitan vestigia Dei conprehendes et usque ad perfectum Omnipotentem repperies
Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
8 excelsior caelo est et quid facies profundior inferno et unde cognosces (Sheol h7585)
They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? (Sheol h7585)
9 longior terrae mensura eius et latior mari
Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
10 si subverterit omnia vel in unum coartaverit quis contradicet ei
If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?
11 ipse enim novit hominum vanitatem et videns iniquitatem nonne considerat
Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?
12 vir vanus in superbiam erigitur et tamquam pullum onagri se liberum natum putat
But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!
13 tu autem firmasti cor tuum et expandisti ad eum manus tuas
As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,
14 si iniquitatem quod est in manu tua abstuleris a te et non manserit in tabernaculo tuo iniustitia
if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,
15 tum levare poteris faciem tuam absque macula et eris stabilis et non timebis
then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid.
16 miseriae quoque oblivisceris et quasi aquarum quae praeterierint recordaberis
For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.
17 et quasi meridianus fulgor consurget tibi ad vesperam et cum te consumptum putaveris orieris ut lucifer
Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.
18 et habebis fiduciam proposita tibi spe et defossus securus dormies
You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.
19 requiesces et non erit qui te exterreat et deprecabuntur faciem tuam plurimi
You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.
20 oculi autem impiorum deficient et effugium peribit ab eis et spes eorum abominatio animae
But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”

< Job 11 >