Job 6
1 Respondens autem Iob, dixit:
Then Job answered,
2 Utinam appenderentur peccata mea, quibus iram merui: et calamitas, quam patior, in statera.
“Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 Quasi arena maris hæc gravior appareret: unde et verba mea dolore sunt plena:
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore my words have been rash.
4 Quia sagittæ Domini in me sunt, quarum indignatio ebibit spiritum meum, et terrores Domini militant contra me.
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
5 Numquid rugiet onager cum habuerit herbam? aut mugiet bos cum ante præsepe plenum steterit?
Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
6 Aut poterit comedi insulsum, quod non est sale conditum? aut potest aliquis gustare, quod gustatum affert mortem?
Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 Quæ prius nolebat tangere anima mea, nunc præ angustia, cibi mei sunt.
My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
8 Quis det ut veniat petitio mea: et quod expecto, tribuat mihi Deus?
“Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
9 Et qui cœpit, ipse me conterat: solvat manum suam, et succidat me?
even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Et hæc mihi sit consolatio ut affligens me dolore, non parcat, nec contradicam sermonibus Sancti.
Let it still be my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 Quæ est enim fortitudo mea ut sustineam? aut quis finis meus, ut patienter agam?
What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
12 Nec fortitudo lapidum fortitudo mea, nec caro mea ænea est.
Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze?
13 Ecce, non est auxilium mihi in me, et necessarii quoque mei recesserunt a me.
Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?
14 Qui tollit ab amico suo misericordiam, timorem Domini derelinquit.
“To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 Fratres mei præterierunt me, sicut torrens qui raptim transit in convallibus.
My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 Qui timent pruinam, irruet super eos nix.
which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
17 Tempore, quo fuerint dissipati, peribunt: et ut incaluerit, solventur de loco suo.
In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 Involutæ sunt semitæ gressuum eorum: ambulabunt in vacuum, et peribunt.
The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 Considerate semitas Thema, itinera Saba, et expectate paulisper.
The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 Confusi sunt, quia speravi: venerunt quoque usque ad me, et pudore cooperti sunt.
They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
21 Nunc venistis: et modo videntes plagam meam timetis.
For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Numquid dixi: Afferte mihi, et de substantia vestra donate mihi?
Did I ever say, ‘Give to me’? or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance’?
23 Vel, Liberate me de manu hostis, et de manu robustorum eruite me?
or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’?
24 Docete me, et ego tacebo: et siquid forte ignoravi, instruite me.
“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.
25 Quare detraxistis sermonibus veritatis, cum e vobis nullus sit qui possit arguere me?
How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 Ad increpandum tantum eloquia concinnatis, et in ventum verba profertis.
Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 Super pupillum irruitis, et subvertere nitimini amicum vestrum.
Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
28 Verumtamen quod cœpistis explete: præbete aurem, et videte an mentiar.
Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.
29 Respondete obsecro absque contentione: et loquentes id quod iustum est, iudicate.
Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
30 Et non invenietis in lingua mea iniquitatem, nec in faucibus meis stultitia personabit.
Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?
