1 T hen Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

Ano ra ko Topara Naamati; i mea ia,

2 “ Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

Kaua ranei hei whakautua te tini o nga kupu? A e whakatikaia ranei te tangata ngutu hohoro?

3 S hould your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

Ma au kupu whakapehapeha ranei e nohopuku ai nga tangata? A, ina tawai koe, kaua ranei he tangata e mea i a koe kia whakama?

4 F or you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

E mea ana hoki koe, He tino tika taku whakaako, a he ma ahau ki ou kanohi.

5 B ut oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,

Aue, me i korero te Atua, me i puaki mai ona ngutu ki te whakahe i a koe!

6 t hat he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

Me i whakaaturia mai e ia ki a koe nga mea ngaro o te matauranga, te huhua o nga ara o tana mahi! Na kia matau koe, he iti iho i ou he ta te Atua e tango nei i a koe.

7 “ Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

Ina whakatakina e koe, e kitea ranei e koe te Atua? E tino kitea rawatia ranei e koe te Kaha Rawa?

8 T hey are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?

Kei te rangi te tiketike; ka pehea koe? Hohonu iho i te reinga; ko te aha e mohiotia e koe?

9 I ts measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

Ko tona takoto, roa atu i te whenua, whanui atu i te moana.

10 I f he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

Ki te mea ka haukotia e ia, ka herehera ranei, ka whakawakia ranei, ma wai ia e arai?

11 F or he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

E mohio ana hoki ia ki nga tangata teka noa; a e kite ana ia i te he, ahakoa e kore e whakaaroa e ia.

12 A n empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

Otiia ko te mea whakaarokore nei, ko te tangata kahore rawa ona hinengaro, ae ra, to te tangata rite i tona whanautanga kei te kuao kaihe mohoao.

13 “ If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.

Ki te whakatikaia e koe tou ngakau, a ka wherahia ou ringa ki a ia;

14 I f iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

Ki te mea he he kei tou ringa, whakamataratia atu, kaua hoki te kino e noho ki ou tapenakara;

15 S urely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

He pono ko reira ara ai tou mata, te ai he ira; ae, ka u hoki koe, te ai he wehi:

16 f or you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it like waters that have passed away.

Tera hoki koe e wareware ki tou mauiui; a e maharatia e koe ano ko nga wai kua rere atu.

17 L ife shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning.

A ko tou ora tera e marama ke atu i to te poutumarotanga o ate ra; a ahakoa e pouri ano, ka rite ki te ata.

18 Y ou shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.

Ka tatu ou whakaaro, no te mea ka whai tumanakohanga atu; ae, ka rapu koe i tetahi taha ou, i tetahi taha, a ka takoto marire koe.

19 A lso you shall lie down, and no one shall make you afraid. Yes, many shall court your favor.

E takoto iho ano koe, te ai he kaiwhakawehi; he tokomaha ano hoki e whai kia paingia e koe.

20 B ut the eyes of the wicked shall fail. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit.”

Ka poko ia nga kanohi o te hunga kino, kore ake he rerenga mo ratou; ko ta ratou e tumanako atu ai ko te hemonga.