UJobe 11

1 UZofari umNahama wasephendula wathi:

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

2 “Uthi amazwi wonke la angayekelwa ukuphendulwa na? Uwawane lolu luyekelwe nje lubheda?

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

3 Umbhedo wakho lo ungenza abantu bathule na? Uthi ungangakhuzwa muntu wena ukhulumela eceleni?

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

4 Uthi kuNkulunkulu, ‘Inkolo yami kayilansolo njalo ngimsulwa phambi kwakho.’

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

5 Oh, ngize ngifise ukuthi ngabe uNkulunkulu uyakhuluma, avule izindebe zakhe ekusola

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

6 akuvulele imfihlo zokuhlakanipha, ngoba inhlakanipho yeqiniso ikabili. Yazi lokhu: UNkulunkulu uvele usezikhohliwe ezinye izono zakho.

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 Kambe ungayifinyelela yini imfihlakalo kaNkulunkulu? Ungaziphenya iziphetho zikaSomandla na?

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

8 Ziqongile ngaphezu kwamazulu, ungenzani kambe? Zizikile kulokujula kolwandle, kuyini ongakwazi pho? (Sheol h7585)

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

9 Ukulinganiswa kwazo kude kulomhlaba njalo kubanzi kulolwandle.

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

10 Nxa engeza lapha akuphosele entolongweni abize inkundla, ngubani ongamphikisa na?

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

11 Liqiniso ukuthi uyababona abantu abakhohlisayo; njalo nxa ebona okubi, kananzeleli na?

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

12 Kodwa umuntu oyisithutha ngeke ahlakaniphe njengoba ubabhemi weganga engeke azalwa ngumuntu.

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

13 Kodwa nxa ugxilisa inhliziyo yakho kuye uphakamisele izandla zakho kuye,

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

14 nxa ulahla isono esisesandleni sakho ungavumeli bubi buhlale ethenteni lakho,

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

15 lapho-ke uzabuveza ubuso bakho ungelanhloni; uzakuma uqine ungesabi.

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

16 Uzalukhohlwa ngempela uhlupho lwakho, lufike nje engqondweni njengezikhukhula ezadlulayo.

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

17 Impilo izakhanya kulemini enkulu, lobumnyama buzakuba njengasekuseni.

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

18 Uzavikeleka, ngoba ithemba likhona; uzakhangela ofuna khona uzuze ukuphumula uvikelekile.

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

19 Uzazilalela, kungekho okwethusayo, njalo abanengi bazabe sebezisondeza kuwe.

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

20 Kodwa amehlo ababi azafiphala, behluleke lokubaleka; ithemba labo libe yikuhotsha umoya wokufa.”

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.”