Job 21
1 Respondens autem Job, dixit:
And Job answered and said,
2 [Audite, quæso, sermones meos, et agite pœnitentiam.
Hear attentively my speech, and let this replace your consolations.
3 Sustinete me, et ego loquar: et post mea, si videbitur, verba, ridete.
Suffer me and I will speak; and after I have spoken, mock on!
4 Numquid contra hominem disputatio mea est, ut merito non debeam contristari?
As for me, is my complaint to a man? or wherefore should not my spirit be impatient?
5 Attendite me et obstupescite, et superponite digitum ori vestro.
Mark me, and be astonished, and lay the hand upon the mouth.
6 Et ego, quando recordatus fuero, pertimesco, et concutit carnem meam tremor.
Even when I think [thereon], I am affrighted, and trembling taketh hold of my flesh.
7 Quare ergo impii vivunt, sublevati sunt, confortatique divitiis?
Wherefore do the wicked live, grow old, yea, become mighty in power?
8 Semen eorum permanet coram eis: propinquorum turba et nepotum in conspectu eorum.
Their seed is established with them in their sight, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Domus eorum securæ sunt et pacatæ, et non est virga Dei super illos.
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Bos eorum concepit, et non abortivit: vacca peperit, et non est privata fœtu suo.
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 Egrediuntur quasi greges parvuli eorum, et infantes eorum exultant lusibus.
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 Tenent tympanum et citharam, et gaudent ad sonitum organi.
They shout to the tambour and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment go down to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
14 Qui dixerunt Deo: Recede a nobis, et scientiam viarum tuarum nolumus.
And they say unto God, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways!
15 Quis est Omnipotens, ut serviamus ei? et quid nobis prodest si oraverimus illum?
What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what are we profited if we pray unto him?
16 Verumtamen quia non sunt in manu eorum bona sua, consilium impiorum longe sit a me.
Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked be far from me!
17 Quoties lucerna impiorum extinguetur, et superveniet eis inundatio, et dolores dividet furoris sui?
How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and cometh their calamity upon them? Doth he distribute sorrows [to them] in his anger?
18 Erunt sicut paleæ ante faciem venti, et sicut favilla quam turbo dispergit.
Do they become as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away?
19 Deus servabit filiis illius dolorem patris, et cum reddiderit, tunc sciet.
God layeth up [the punishment of] his iniquity for his children; he rewardeth him, and he shall know [it]:
20 Videbunt oculi ejus interfectionem suam, et de furore Omnipotentis bibet.
His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the fury of the Almighty.
21 Quid enim ad eum pertinet de domo sua post se, et si numerus mensium ejus dimidietur?
For what pleasure should he have in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off?
22 Numquid Deus docebit quispiam scientiam, qui excelsos judicat?
Can any teach God knowledge? And he it is that judgeth those that are high.
23 Iste moritur robustus et sanus, dives et felix:
One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
24 viscera ejus plena sunt adipe, et medullis ossa illius irrigantur:
His sides are full of fat, and the marrow of his bones is moistened;
25 alius vero moritur in amaritudine animæ absque ullis opibus:
And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath not tasted good:
26 et tamen simul in pulvere dormient, et vermes operient eos.
Together they lie down in the dust, and the worms cover them.
27 Certe novi cogitationes vestras, et sententias contra me iniquas.
Lo, I know your thoughts, and the devices ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28 Dicitis enim: Ubi est domus principis? et ubi tabernacula impiorum?
For ye say, Where is the house of the noble? and where the tent of the dwellings of the wicked?
29 Interrogate quemlibet de viatoribus, et hæc eadem illum intelligere cognoscetis:
Have ye not asked the wayfarers? and do ye not regard their tokens:
30 quia in diem perditionis servatur malus, et ad diem furoris ducetur.
That the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity? They are led forth to the day of wrath.
31 Quis arguet coram eo viam ejus? et quæ fecit, quis reddet illi?
Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
32 Ipse ad sepulchra ducetur, et in congerie mortuorum vigilabit.
Yet is he carried to the graves, and watch is kept over the tomb.
33 Dulcis fuit glareis Cocyti, et post se omnem hominem trahet, et ante se innumerabiles.
The clods of the valley are sweet unto him; and every man followeth suit after him, as there were innumerable before him.
34 Quomodo igitur consolamini me frustra, cum responsio vestra repugnare ostensa sit veritati?]
How then comfort ye me in vain? Your answers remain perfidious.
