Job 21
1 Then Job made answer and said,
Respondens autem Job, dixit:
2 Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
Audite, quæso, sermones meos, et agite pœnitentiam.
3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
Sustinete me, et ego loquar: et post mea, si videbitur, verba, ridete.
4 As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
Numquid contra hominem disputatio mea est, ut merito non debeam contristari?
5 Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
Attendite me et obstupescite, et superponite digitum ori vestro.
6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
Et ego, quando recordatus fuero, pertimesco, et concutit carnem meam tremor.
7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
Quare ergo impii vivunt, sublevati sunt, confortatique divitiis?
8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Semen eorum permanet coram eis: propinquorum turba et nepotum in conspectu eorum.
9 Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
Domus eorum securæ sunt et pacatæ, et non est virga Dei super illos.
10 Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
Bos eorum concepit, et non abortivit: vacca peperit, et non est privata fœtu suo.
11 They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
Egrediuntur quasi greges parvuli eorum, et infantes eorum exultant lusibus.
12 They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
Tenent tympanum et citharam, et gaudent ad sonitum organi.
13 Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
Ducunt in bonis dies suos, et in puncto ad inferna descendunt. (Sheol h7585)
14 Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
Qui dixerunt Deo: Recede a nobis, et scientiam viarum tuarum nolumus.
15 What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?
Quis est Omnipotens, ut serviamus ei? et quid nobis prodest si oraverimus illum?
16 Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
Verumtamen quia non sunt in manu eorum bona sua, consilium impiorum longe sit a me.
17 How frequently is the light of the evil-doers put out, or does trouble come on them? how frequently does his wrath take them with cords?
Quoties lucerna impiorum extinguetur, et superveniet eis inundatio, et dolores dividet furoris sui?
18 How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
Erunt sicut paleæ ante faciem venti, et sicut favilla quam turbo dispergit.
19 You say, God keeps punishment stored up for his children. Let him send it on the man himself, so that he may have the punishment of it!
Deus servabit filiis illius dolorem patris, et cum reddiderit, tunc sciet.
20 Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
Videbunt oculi ejus interfectionem suam, et de furore Omnipotentis bibet.
21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
Quid enim ad eum pertinet de domo sua post se, et si numerus mensium ejus dimidietur?
22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
Numquid Deus docebit quispiam scientiam, qui excelsos judicat?
23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
Iste moritur robustus et sanus, dives et felix:
24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
viscera ejus plena sunt adipe, et medullis ossa illius irrigantur:
25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
alius vero moritur in amaritudine animæ absque ullis opibus:
26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
et tamen simul in pulvere dormient, et vermes operient eos.
27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
Certe novi cogitationes vestras, et sententias contra me iniquas.
28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
Dicitis enim: Ubi est domus principis? et ubi tabernacula impiorum?
29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
Interrogate quemlibet de viatoribus, et hæc eadem illum intelligere cognoscetis:
30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
quia in diem perditionis servatur malus, et ad diem furoris ducetur.
31 Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
Quis arguet coram eo viam ejus? et quæ fecit, quis reddet illi?
32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
Ipse ad sepulchra ducetur, et in congerie mortuorum vigilabit.
33 The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.
Dulcis fuit glareis Cocyti, et post se omnem hominem trahet, et ante se innumerabiles.
34 Why then do you give me comfort with words in which there is no profit, when you see that there is nothing in your answers but deceit?
Quomodo igitur consolamini me frustra, cum responsio vestra repugnare ostensa sit veritati?
