Zophar's First Speech
So Much Foolish Talk
1 Zophar from Naamah said:
2 So much foolish talk
cannot go unanswered.
3 Your words have silenced others
and made them ashamed;
now it is only right for you
to be put to shame.
4 You claim to be innocent
and argue that your beliefs
are acceptable to God.
5 But I wish God would speak
6 and let you know that wisdom
has many different sides.
You would then discover
that God has punished you
less than you deserve.
7 Can you understand the mysteries
surrounding God All-Powerful?
8 They are higher than the heavens
and deeper than the grave.
So what can you do
when you know so little,
9 and these mysteries outreach
the earth and the ocean?
10 If God puts you in prison
or drags you to court,
what can you do?
11 God has the wisdom to know
when someone is worthless
and sinful,
12 but it's easier to tame
a wild donkey
than to make a fool wise.
Surrender Your Heart to God
13 Surrender your heart to God,
turn to him in prayer,
14 and give up your sins—
even those you do in secret.
15 Then you won't be ashamed;
you will be confident
and fearless.
16 Your troubles will go away
like water beneath a bridge,
17 and your darkest night
will be brighter than noon.
18 You will rest safe and secure,
filled with hope
and emptied of worry.
19 You will sleep without fear
and be greatly respected.
20 But those who are evil
will go blind and lose their way.
Their only escape is death!
Cofars: Ījabs ir pelnījis sodu
1 Cofars no Naamas atbildēja, sacīdams:
2 “Vai tik daudz vārdu paliks bez atbildes?
Vai gan pļāpam taisnība būs?
3 Tu gvelz, bet vīri cieš klusu!
Tu paļā, bet nav, kas tevi liek kaunā!
4 Tu saki: mani spriedumi tīri,
un es šķīsts tavā priekšā! –
5 Patiesi, kaut runātu Dievs
un vērtu uz tevi savas lūpas,
6 kaut stāstītu tev gudrības noslēpumus,
jo padomam divas puses!
Dievs mazāk prasa, nekā pelnījis grēks!
7 Vai Dieva dziļumus atklāt vari?
Vai Visuvarenā robežas atrast vari?
8 Tās augstu kā debesis, ko tu darīsi?
Tie dziļāk par elli, kā tu zināsi?
9 Par zemi garāks to mērs
un platāks par jūru.
10 Ja viņš nāks un valgiem sies,
un sasauks tiesu – kas viņam liegs?
11 Jo viņš niekkalbjus zina,
ieraudzīs vainu – vai neliksies zinis?
12 Bet tukšgalvis iegūs prātu,
kad mežēzelis par cilvēku dzims!
13 Ja tu stiprināsi savu sirdi,
ja stiepsi viņam savas plaukstas,
14 nometīsi grēku, kas tavā rokā,
nelaidīsi netaisnību savās teltīs –
15 tad brīvs no negoda celsi vaigu,
kaldināts un nebaidīsies,
16 savas mokas aizmirsīsi,
kā noskrējušus palus tās pieminēsi!
17 Par dienvidu spožāks tavs mūžs,
un tumsa kā rīts.
18 Tu paļausies, ka cerība ir,
tu lūkosies vietas un dusēsi drošs,
19 tu atgulsies, tevi netramdīs,
vēl daudzi tev vaigā glaimos!
20 Bet ļaundaru acis izīgs,
to patvērums izputēs,
to cerība – izlaist garu!”
