1 T sophar de Naama prit la parole et dit:

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

2 C ette multitude de paroles ne trouvera-t-elle point de réponse, Et suffira-t-il d'être un discoureur pour avoir raison?

“Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated?

3 T es vains propos feront-ils taire les gens? Te moqueras-tu, sans que personne te confonde?

Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you?

4 T u dis: Ma manière de voir est juste, Et je suis pur à tes yeux.

For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.’

5 O h! si Dieu voulait parler, S'il ouvrait les lèvres pour te répondre,

But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips against you,

6 E t s'il te révélait les secrets de sa sagesse, De son immense sagesse, Tu verrais alors qu'il ne te traite pas selon ton iniquité.

That He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves.

7 P rétends-tu sonder les pensées de Dieu, Parvenir à la connaissance parfaite du Tout Puissant?

“Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?

8 E lle est aussi haute que les cieux: que feras-tu? Plus profonde que le séjour des morts: que sauras-tu?

They are higher than heaven— what can you do? Deeper than Sheol— what can you know?

9 L a mesure en est plus longue que la terre, Elle est plus large que la mer.

Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.

10 S 'il passe, s'il saisit, S'il traîne à son tribunal, qui s'y opposera?

“If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him?

11 C ar il connaît les vicieux, Il voit facilement les coupables.

For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?

12 L 'homme, au contraire, a l'intelligence d'un fou, Il est né comme le petit d'un âne sauvage.

For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.

13 P our toi, dirige ton coeur vers Dieu, Étends vers lui tes mains,

“If you would prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him;

14 É loigne-toi de l'iniquité, Et ne laisse pas habiter l'injustice sous ta tente.

If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

15 A lors tu lèveras ton front sans tache, Tu seras ferme et sans crainte;

Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;

16 T u oublieras tes souffrances, Tu t'en souviendras comme des eaux écoulées.

Because you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away,

17 T es jours auront plus d'éclat que le soleil à son midi, Tes ténèbres seront comme la lumière du matin,

And your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning.

18 T u seras plein de confiance, et ton attente ne sera plus vaine; Tu regarderas autour de toi, et tu reposeras en sûreté.

And you would be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety.

19 T u te coucheras sans que personne ne trouble, Et plusieurs caresseront ton visage.

You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court your favor.

20 M ais les yeux des méchants seront consumés; Pour eux point de refuge; La mort, voilà leur espérance!

But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And they shall not escape, And their hope—loss of life!”