Hopa 11

1 Ano ra ko Topara Naamati; i mea ia,

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

2 Kaua ranei hei whakautua te tini o nga kupu? A e whakatikaia ranei te tangata ngutu hohoro?

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

3 Ma au kupu whakapehapeha ranei e nohopuku ai nga tangata? A, ina tawai koe, kaua ranei he tangata e mea i a koe kia whakama?

Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

4 E mea ana hoki koe, He tino tika taku whakaako, a he ma ahau ki ou kanohi.

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

5 Aue, me i korero te Atua, me i puaki mai ona ngutu ki te whakahe i a koe!

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

6 Me i whakaaturia mai e ia ki a koe nga mea ngaro o te matauranga, te huhua o nga ara o tana mahi! Na kia matau koe, he iti iho i ou he ta te Atua e tango nei i a koe.

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.

7 Ina whakatakina e koe, e kitea ranei e koe te Atua? E tino kitea rawatia ranei e koe te Kaha Rawa?

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

8 Kei te rangi te tiketike; ka pehea koe? Hohonu iho i te reinga; ko te aha e mohiotia e koe? (Sheol h7585)

They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Ko tona takoto, roa atu i te whenua, whanui atu i te moana.

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

10 Ki te mea ka haukotia e ia, ka herehera ranei, ka whakawakia ranei, ma wai ia e arai?

If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

11 E mohio ana hoki ia ki nga tangata teka noa; a e kite ana ia i te he, ahakoa e kore e whakaaroa e ia.

For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

12 Otiia ko te mea whakaarokore nei, ko te tangata kahore rawa ona hinengaro, ae ra, to te tangata rite i tona whanautanga kei te kuao kaihe mohoao.

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

13 Ki te whakatikaia e koe tou ngakau, a ka wherahia ou ringa ki a ia;

“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands towards him.

14 Ki te mea he he kei tou ringa, whakamataratia atu, kaua hoki te kino e noho ki ou tapenakara;

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

15 He pono ko reira ara ai tou mata, te ai he ira; ae, ka u hoki koe, te ai he wehi:

Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

16 Tera hoki koe e wareware ki tou mauiui; a e maharatia e koe ano ko nga wai kua rere atu.

for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.

17 A ko tou ora tera e marama ke atu i to te poutumarotanga o ate ra; a ahakoa e pouri ano, ka rite ki te ata.

Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.

18 Ka tatu ou whakaaro, no te mea ka whai tumanakohanga atu; ae, ka rapu koe i tetahi taha ou, i tetahi taha, a ka takoto marire koe.

You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.

19 E takoto iho ano koe, te ai he kaiwhakawehi; he tokomaha ano hoki e whai kia paingia e koe.

Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favour.

20 Ka poko ia nga kanohi o te hunga kino, kore ake he rerenga mo ratou; ko ta ratou e tumanako atu ai ko te hemonga.

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.”