1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:2 "Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?3 Will your idle talk reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?4 You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.'5 Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you6 and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.7 "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?8 They are higher than the heavens above —what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below —what can you know?9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.10 "If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?11 Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?12 But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born human. [^1]13 "Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,14 if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp."
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.]