Job 4
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered Job.
Na Temanni Elifas buaa Hiob se,
2 “Could I say a word? I don't want to upset you but who could keep quiet and not respond?
“Sɛ obi pɛ sɛ ɔne wo kasa a, worennya ntoboase ana? Hena na wobetumi aka nʼano ato mu?
3 You've certainly encouraged many people and supported those who are weak.
Dwene sɛnea wakyerɛkyerɛ nnipa bebree, sɛnea woahyɛ nsa a emu ayɛ mmerɛw no den.
4 Your advice has helped those who are stumbling not to fall, and you have strengthened those whose knees are weak.
Wo nsɛm ahyɛ wɔn a wɔahintiw no den; woahyɛ nkotodwe a ayɛ mmerɛw mu den.
5 But now you're the one suffering and you're upset.
Na afei a ɔhaw aba no, wʼaba mu abu; adwira wo, na wo werɛ ahow.
6 Wasn't it your reverence for God that gave you confidence and your integrity that gave you hope?
So ɛnsɛ sɛ wo nyamesuro yɛ wʼahotoso na wʼakwan a ɛho nni asɛm no yɛ wʼanidaso ana?
7 Think about it: since when did the innocent die? Since when were good people destroyed?
“Dwene ho: Wɔasɛe obi a ne ho nni asɛm pɛn ana? Ɛhefa na wɔsɛee obi a ɔyɛ pɛ?
8 From what I've seen it's those who plant evil and sow trouble who reap the same!
Sɛnea mahu no, wɔn a wofuntum bɔne ne wɔn a wodua ɔhaw no twa so aba.
9 A breath from God destroys them; a blast of his anger wipes them out.
Onyankopɔn home ano, wɔsɛe; nʼabufuw turuw a wɔyera.
10 Lions may roar and growl, but their teeth still break.
Gyata betumi abobɔ mu na wɔaworo so, nanso wɔabubu gyata akɛse no se.
11 Even a lion dies from lack of food, and the lioness' cubs are scattered.
Gyata annya hanam a owu, na gyatabere mma no bɔ hwete.
12 A word quietly crept up on me; a whisper reached my ear.
“Wɔbɛkaa kokoamsɛm bi kyerɛɛ me na mʼaso tee no sɛ asomsɛm.
13 Troubling thoughts came to me in nightmares when you fall into a deep sleep.
Wɔ anadwo daeso basabasa mu, bere a nnipa adeda nnahɔɔ no,
14 I became terrified and trembled; all my bones were shaking.
ehu ne nketenkete kyeree me ɛmaa me nnompe nyinaa wosowee.
15 Then a breath brushed my face and gave me goose-pimples.
Honhom bi twaa mʼani so, na me ho nwi sɔre gyinae.
16 Something stopped, but I couldn't see its face. My eyes could only make out a shape. It was totally quiet, and then I heard a voice:
Egyinae, nanso, manhu nʼabɔsu. Biribi begyinaa mʼanim, na metee nne bɔkɔɔ bi a ɛrebisa se,
17 ‘Can anyone be right before God? Can anyone be pure before their Maker?
‘Onipa desani betumi ateɛ asen Onyankopɔn? Na mpo ɔhoɔdenfo betumi ayɛ kronkron asen ne Yɛfo ana?
18 If he doesn't even trust his servants, and he says his angels make mistakes,
Sɛ Onyankopɔn ntumi mfa ne ho nto nʼankasa asomfo so, sɛ ɔka nʼabɔfo mfomso kyerɛ wɔn a,
19 how much more does this apply to those who live in these houses made of clay, whose foundations are based on dust, who fall apart like clothing to a moth?
na nkantom wɔn a wɔtete dɔte afi mu, wɔn a wɔn fapem sisi mfutuma mu na wɔdwerɛw wɔn ntɛm so sen abubummaba!
20 Alive in the morning, they are dead by evening. They die, unnoticed.
Efi anɔpahema kosi anwummere wobubu wɔn mu nketenkete; na wɔyera korakora a obiara nhu wɔn bio.
21 They are like tent ropes that are pulled up, and they collapse in death. They die without wisdom.’
So wommiamia wɔn ntamadan ahama mu, a ɛno nti wowuwu a wonni nyansa ana?’
