< UJobe 11 >
1 Wasephendula uZofari umNahama wathi:
Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,
2 Kambe kabuphendulwa yini ubunengi bamazwi? Njalo isilawuli singalungisiswa yini?
“Should not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?
3 Ukulawula kwakho kuzathulisa abantu yini? Lapho ukloloda, kakho ongakuyangisa yini?
Should your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?
4 Ngoba uthe: Imfundiso yami ihlanzekile, ngihlambulukile emehlweni akho.
For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'
5 Kodwa-ke kungathi uNkulunkulu angakhuluma, avule indebe zakhe kuwe,
But, oh, that God would speak and open his lips against you;
6 ukuze akwazise imfihlakalo zenhlakanipho, ukuthi ziphindwe kabili ngenhlakanipho eqotho. Yazi-ke ukuthi uNkulunkulu ubiza kuwe okulutshwana kulecala lakho.
that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For he is great in understanding. Know then that God demands from you less than your iniquity deserves.
7 Ungafumana ukujula kukaNkulunkulu na? Ungamfumana yini uSomandla kuze kube sekupheleleni?
Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?
8 Kuphakeme njengamazulu, ungenzani? Kutshonile kulesihogo, ungazini? (Sheol )
The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know? (Sheol )
9 Isilinganiso sakho side kulomhlaba, sibanzi kulolwandle.
Its measure is longer than the earth, and wider than the sea.
10 Uba esedlula avalele kumbe abuthanise, ngubani-ke ongamnqanda?
If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?
11 Ngoba yena uyabazi abantu abayize, uyabona ububi; ngakho kayikukuqaphelisa yini?
For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?
12 Ngoba umuntu oyisiphukuphuku angaba lokuqedisisa, lanxa umuntu engazalwa njengethole likababhemi weganga.
But foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.
13 Uba wena ulungisa inhliziyo yakho, welulele izandla zakho kuye,
But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;
14 uba ububi busesandleni sakho, bubeke khatshana, lobubi kabungahlali emathenteni akho.
suppose that iniquity were in your hand, but that then you put it far away from you, and did not let unrighteousness live in your tents.
15 Ngoba lapho uzaphakamisa ubuso bakho ungelasici, njalo uqine, ungesabi.
Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.
16 Ngoba wena uzakhohlwa usizi lwakho, ulukhumbule njengamanzi asedlulile.
You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.
17 Lobude bempilo yakho buzakhanya kulemini enkulu; loba kulomnyama kuzakuba njengekuseni.
Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.
18 Njalo uzakuba lethemba ngoba kulethemba; uzagebha, uzalala ngokuvikeleka.
You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.
19 Uzalala, njalo kakho ozakwethusa, labanengi bazancenga phambi kwakho.
Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek your favor.
20 Kodwa amehlo ababi azafiphala, lesiphephelo sizachitheka kubo, lethemba labo lizakuba yikuphela komphefumulo.
But the eyes of wicked people will fail; they will have no way to flee; their only hope will be a last gasp of life.”