UJobe 11
1 Wasephendula uZofari umNahama wathi:
Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
2 Kambe kabuphendulwa yini ubunengi bamazwi? Njalo isilawuli singalungisiswa yini?
“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
3 Ukulawula kwakho kuzathulisa abantu yini? Lapho ukloloda, kakho ongakuyangisa yini?
Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
4 Ngoba uthe: Imfundiso yami ihlanzekile, ngihlambulukile emehlweni akho.
For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean 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 true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
7 Ungafumana ukujula kukaNkulunkulu na? Ungamfumana yini uSomandla kuze kube sekupheleleni?
“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? (Sheol h7585)
9 Isilinganiso sakho side kulomhlaba, sibanzi kulolwandle.
Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 Uba esedlula avalele kumbe abuthanise, ngubani-ke ongamnqanda?
If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
11 Ngoba yena uyabazi abantu abayize, uyabona ububi; ngakho kayikukuqaphelisa yini?
For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
12 Ngoba umuntu oyisiphukuphuku angaba lokuqedisisa, lanxa umuntu engazalwa njengethole likababhemi weganga.
An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
13 Uba wena ulungisa inhliziyo yakho, welulele izandla zakho kuye,
“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands towards him.
14 uba ububi busesandleni sakho, bubeke khatshana, lobubi kabungahlali emathenteni akho.
If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
15 Ngoba lapho uzaphakamisa ubuso bakho ungelasici, njalo uqine, ungesabi.
Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,
16 Ngoba wena uzakhohlwa usizi lwakho, ulukhumbule njengamanzi asedlulile.
for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
17 Lobude bempilo yakho buzakhanya kulemini enkulu; loba kulomnyama kuzakuba njengekuseni.
Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
18 Njalo uzakuba lethemba ngoba kulethemba; uzagebha, uzalala ngokuvikeleka.
You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
19 Uzalala, njalo kakho ozakwethusa, labanengi bazancenga phambi kwakho.
Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favour.
20 Kodwa amehlo ababi azafiphala, lesiphephelo sizachitheka kubo, lethemba labo lizakuba yikuphela komphefumulo.
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.”
