< Job 11 >

1 Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
Naamatitɔ, Zofar ɖo eŋu na Hiob be,
2 “Should not the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
“Ɖe woagbe nya siawo ŋu ɖoɖo na wòa? Ɖe woabe nyawɔla sia tɔ dzɔa?
3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
Ɖe wò nya dzodzro siawo ade ga nu na amewoa? Ɖe ame aɖeke meli aka mo na wò ne èle fewu ɖum oa?
4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’
Ègblɔ na Mawu be ‘Kpɔtsɔtsɔ mele nu siwo dzi mexɔ se la ŋu o eye medza le ŋkuwòme.’
5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,
O, aleke medi be Mawu naƒo nu, ne wòake eƒe nuyiwo ɖe ŋutiwò,
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.
ne wòaɖe nunya ƒe nu ɣaɣlawo afia wò elabena mo evee li na nunya. Vavã, nya esia be: Mawu ŋlɔ wò nu vɔ̃wo dometɔ aɖewo be gɔ̃ hã.
7 “Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
“Àte ŋu ase Mawu ƒe nya goglowo gɔmea? Àte ŋu adzro Ŋusẽkatãtɔ la ƒe mlɔenuwo ke mea?
8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol (Sheol h7585). What can you know?
Wokɔkɔ wu dziƒowo, nu ka nàte ŋu awɔ? Wogoglo wu tsiẽƒe ƒe gogloƒewo, nu ka nènya? (Sheol h7585)
9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
Wodidi wu anyigba eye wokeke wu atsiaƒu.
10 If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
Ke ne eva do, hede wò gaxɔ me eye wòdrɔ̃ ʋɔnu wò la, ame ka ate ŋu atsi tsitre ɖe eŋu?
11 For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he does not consider it.
Vavã enyaa alakpatɔwo eye ne ekpɔ nu vɔ̃ɖi la, ɖe medzea sii oa?
12 An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
Gake abe ale si gbetedzi mate ŋu adzi vi wòanye amegbetɔ o ene la, nenema kee womate ŋu awɔ bometsila hã wòazu nunyala o.
13 “If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.
“Ke hã la, ne ètsɔ wò dzi nɛ blibo, ne èwu wò asiwo dzi do ɖe egbɔ,
14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
ne èɖe nu vɔ̃ siwo le wò asi me la ɖa eye ne mèɖe mɔ na nu vɔ̃ɖi aɖeke be wòanɔ wò agbadɔ me o la,
15 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,
ekema àkɔ wò mo dzi ŋukpemanɔmee, ànɔ te sesĩe eye mavɔ̃ o.
16 for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
Le nyateƒe me la, àŋlɔ wò hiãkame be eye àɖo ŋku edzi ko abe tsi sisi si nu va yi la ene.
17 Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
Wò agbe me akɔ wu ŋdɔkutsu dzati eye viviti anɔ na wò abe ŋdikekeli ene.
18 You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
Ànɔ dedie elabena mɔkpɔkpɔ li, àtsa ŋku godoo eye àmlɔ anyi bɔkɔɔ le dedinɔnɔ me.
19 Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.
Àmlɔ anyi eye ame aɖeke mava do ŋɔdzi na wò o; ale ame geɖewo ava bia amenuveve tso gbɔwò.
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.”
Ke ɖeɖi ate ame vɔ̃ɖiwo ƒe ŋkuwo ŋu, bebeƒe abu ɖe wo eye woƒe mɔkpɔkpɔ azu kudɔƒoƒo.”

< Job 11 >