Hiob 11

1 Na Naamani Sofar buaa sɛ,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

2 “Ɛnsɛ sɛ wɔyi saa nsɛm yi ano anaa? Ɛsɛ sɛ wɔbu saa ɔkasafoɔ yi bem anaa?

“Should not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?

3 Wo nsɛm hunu no bɛma nnipa ayɛ komm anaa? Sɛ wodi fɛ a obiara renka wʼanim anaa?

Should your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?

4 Woka kyerɛ Onyankopɔn sɛ, ‘Me gyidie ho nni asɛm na meyɛ pɛ wɔ wʼani so.’

For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'

5 Ao, anka mepɛ sɛ Onyankopɔn kasa, anka ɔnkasa ntia wo

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

6 na ɔmmue nyansa mu ahintasɛm so nkyerɛ wo, ɛfiri sɛ nyansa turodoo yɛ afanu. Hunu yei sɛ, Onyankopɔn werɛ afiri wo bɔne no bi mpo.

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 “Wobɛtumi ate Onyankopɔn anwanwadeɛ ase anaa? Wobɛtumi abɔre ahunu deɛ Otumfoɔ no tumi kɔpem anaa?

Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?

8 Ɛkorɔn sene ɔsoro, ɛdeɛn na wobɛtumi ayɛ? Emu dɔ sene damena ase tɔnn, ɛdeɛn na wobɛtumi ahunu? (Sheol h7585)

The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Ne nsusuiɛ mu ware sene asase na ɛtrɛ sene ɛpo.

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

10 “Sɛ ɔba na ɔde wo to nneduadan mu ansa na wasi nkonnwa a, hwan na ɔbɛtumi asi no ɛkwan?

If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?

11 Ampa ara ɔhyɛ nnipa nnaadaafoɔ nso; na sɛ ɔhunu amumuyɛ a, ɔnhyɛ ne nso anaa?

For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?

12 Nanso ogyimifoɔ rentumi nyɛ onyansafoɔ sɛdeɛ wɔrentumi nwo afunumu ba sɛ onipa no.

But foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.

13 “Na sɛ wode wʼakoma ma no na wopagya wo nsa kyerɛ no,

But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;

14 sɛ wogyaa bɔne a wokura no mu na woamma amumuyɛ antena wo ntomadan mu a,

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 ɛnneɛ, wobɛpagya wo ti a womfɛre; wobɛgyina pintinn a wonsuro.

Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.

16 Wo werɛ bɛfiri wʼahokyere, na ɛbɛyɛ wo sɛ nsuo a asene korɔ.

You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.

17 Wʼabrabɔ bɛhyerɛn asene owigyinaeɛ, na esum bɛyɛ sɛ adekyeɛ hann.

Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.

18 Wobɛnya banbɔ, ɛfiri sɛ anidasoɔ wɔ hɔ; wobɛhwɛ wo ho ahyia, na wahome asomdwoeɛ mu.

You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.

19 Wobɛda ahome, na obi renhunahuna wo, na bebree bɛhwehwɛ mmoa afiri wo nkyɛn.

Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek your favor.

20 Amumuyɛfoɔ ani bɛfira, wɔrentumi nnwane; na wɔn anidasoɔ bɛdane owuo ahomeguo.”

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.”