Job 16
1 Respondens autem Job, dixit:
Then Job answered,
2 [Audivi frequenter talia: consolatores onerosi omnes vos estis.
“I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters!
3 Numquid habebunt finem verba ventosa? aut aliquid tibi molestum est, si loquaris?
Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?
4 Poteram et ego similia vestri loqui, atque utinam esset anima vestra pro anima mea: consolarer et ego vos sermonibus, et moverem caput meum super vos;
I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul’s place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you,
5 roborarem vos ore meo, et moverem labia mea, quasi parcens vobis.
but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
6 Sed quid agam? Si locutus fuero, non quiescet dolor meus, et si tacuero, non recedet a me.
“Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?
7 Nunc autem oppressit me dolor meus, et in nihilum redacti sunt omnes artus mei.
But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made all my company desolate.
8 Rugæ meæ testimonium dicunt contra me, et suscitatur falsiloquus adversus faciem meam, contradicens mihi.
You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.
9 Collegit furorem suum in me, et comminans mihi, infremuit contra me dentibus suis: hostis meus terribilibus oculis me intuitus est.
He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.
10 Aperuerunt super me ora sua, et exprobrantes percusserunt maxillam meam: satiati sunt pœnis meis.
They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.
11 Conclusit me Deus apud iniquum, et manibus impiorum me tradidit.
God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
12 Ego ille quondam opulentus, repente contritus sum: tenuit cervicem meam, confregit me, et posuit me sibi quasi in signum.
I was at ease, and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his target.
13 Circumdedit me lanceis suis; convulneravit lumbos meos: non pepercit, et effudit in terra viscera mea.
His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my bile on the ground.
14 Concidit me vulnere super vulnus: irruit in me quasi gigas.
He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs at me like a giant.
15 Saccum consui super cutem meam, et operui cinere carnem meam.
I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.
16 Facies mea intumuit a fletu, et palpebræ meæ caligaverunt.
My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids,
17 Hæc passus sum absque iniquitate manus meæ, cum haberem mundas ad Deum preces.
although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
18 Terra, ne operias sanguinem meum, neque inveniat in te locum latendi clamor meus:
“Earth, don’t cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.
19 ecce enim in cælo testis meus, et conscius meus in excelsis.
Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.
20 Verbosi amici mei: ad Deum stillat oculus meus:
My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,
21 atque utinam sic judicaretur vir cum Deo, quomodo judicatur filius hominis cum collega suo.
that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!
22 Ecce enim breves anni transeunt, et semitam per quam non revertar ambulo.]
For when a few years have come, I will go the way of no return.
