1 Then Zophar the Naamathite made answer and said,2 Are all these words to go unanswered? and is a man seen to be right because he is full of talk?3 Are your words of pride to make men keep quiet? and are you to make sport, with no one to put you to shame?4 You may say, My way is clean, and I am free from sin in your eyes.5 But if only God would take up the word, opening his lips in argument with you;6 And would make clear to you the secrets of wisdom, and the wonders of his purpose!7 Are you able to take God's measure, to make discovery of the limits of the Ruler of all?8 They are higher than heaven; what is there for you to do? deeper than the underworld, and outside your knowledge;9 Longer in measure than the earth, and wider than the sea.10 If he goes on his way, shutting a man up and putting him to death, who may make him go back from his purpose?11 For in his eyes men are as nothing; he sees evil and takes note of it.12 And so a hollow-minded man will get wisdom, when a young ass of the field gets teaching.13 But if you put your heart right, stretching out your hands to him;14 If you put far away the evil of your hands, and let no wrongdoing have a place in your tent;15 Then truly your face will be lifted up, with no mark of sin, and you will be fixed in your place without fear:16 For your sorrow will go from your memory, like waters flowing away:17 And your life will be brighter than day; though it is dark, it will become like the morning.18 And you will be safe because there is hope; after looking round, you will take your rest in quiet;19 Sleeping with no fear of danger; and men will be desiring to have grace in your eyes;20 But the eyes of the evil-doers will be wasting away; their way of flight is gone, and their only hope is the taking of their last breath.
1 Respondens autem Sophar Naamathites, dixit : 2 [Numquid qui multa loquitur, non et audiet ?aut vir verbosus justificabitur ?3 Tibi soli tacebunt homines ?et cum ceteros irriseris, a nullo confutaberis ?4 Dixisti enim : Purus est sermo meus,et mundus sum in conspectu tuo.5 Atque utinam Deus loqueretur tecum,et aperiret labia sua tibi,6 ut ostenderet tibi secreta sapienti,et quod multiplex esset lex ejus :et intelligeres quod multo minora exigaris ab eoquam meretur iniquitas tua !7 Forsitan vestigia Dei comprehendes,et usque ad perfectum Omnipotentem reperies ?8 Excelsior clo est, et quid facies ?profundior inferno, et unde cognosces ?9 Longior terra mensura ejus,et latior mari.10 Si subverterit omnia, vel in unum coarctaverit,quis contradicet ei ?11 Ipse enim novit hominum vanitatem ;et videns iniquitatem, nonne considerat ?12 Vir vanus in superbiam erigitur,et tamquam pullum onagri se liberum natum putat.13 Tu autem firmasti cor tuum,et expandisti ad eum manus tuas.14 Si iniquitatem qu est in manu tua abstuleris a te,et non manserit in tabernaculo tuo injustitia,15 tunc levare poteris faciem tuam absque macula ;et eris stabilis, et non timebis.16 Miseri quoque oblivisceris,et quasi aquarum qu prterierunt recordaberis.17 Et quasi meridianus fulgor consurget tibi ad vesperam ;et cum te consumptum putaveris, orieris ut lucifer.18 Et habebis fiduciam, proposita tibi spe :et defossus securus dormies.19 Requiesces, et non erit qui te exterreat ;et deprecabuntur faciem tuam plurimi.20 Oculi autem impiorum deficient,et effugium peribit ab eis :et spes illorum abominatio anim.]