Job 21
1 Respondens autem Iob, dixit:
Then Job answered and said:
2 Audite quæso sermones meos, et agite pœnitentiam.
Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your consolations.
3 Sustinete me, et ego loquar, et post mea, si videbitur, verba ridete.
Suffer me, that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
4 Numquid contra hominem disputatio mea est, ut merito non debeam contristari?
As for me, is my complaint to man? Or why should I not be impatient?
5 Attendite me, et obstupescite, et superponite digitum ori vestro:
Turn unto me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 Et ego quando recordatus fuero, pertimesco, et concutit carnem meam tremor.
Even when I remember I am affrighted, and horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Quare ergo impii vivunt, sublevati sunt, confortatique divitiis?
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
8 Semen eorum permanet coram eis, propinquorum turba, et nepotum in conspectu eorum.
Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Domus eorum securæ sunt et pacatæ, et non est virga Dei super illos.
Their houses are safe, without 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 sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
They spend their days in prosperity, and peacefully they go down to the grave. (Sheol h7585)
14 Qui dixerunt Deo: Recede a nobis, et scientiam viarum tuarum nolumus.
Yet they said 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 profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?' —
16 Verumtamen quia non sunt in manu eorum bona sua, consilium impiorum longe sit a me.
Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 Quoties lucerna impiorum extinguetur, et superveniet eis inundatio, et dolores dividet furoris sui?
How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? that their calamity cometh upon them? that He distributeth pains in His anger?
18 Erunt sicut paleæ ante faciem venti, et sicut favilla quam turbo dispergit.
That they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm stealeth away?
19 Deus servabit filiis illius dolorem patris: et cum reddiderit, tunc sciet.
'God layeth up his iniquity for his children!' — let Him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it.
20 Videbunt oculi eius interfectionem suam, et de furore Omnipotentis bibet.
Let his own eyes see his destruction, and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 Quid enim ad eum pertinet de domo sua post se? et si numerus mensium eius dimidietur?
For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? seeing the number of his months is determined.
22 Numquid Deus docebit quispiam scientiam, qui excelsos iudicat?
Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing it is He 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 eius plena sunt adipe, et medullis ossa illius irrigantur:
His pails are full of milk, 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 never tasted of good.
26 Et tamen simul in pulvere dormient, et vermes operient eos.
They lie down alike in the dust, and the worm covereth them.
27 Certe novi cogitationes vestras, et sententias contra me iniquas.
Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which 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 prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?'
29 Interrogate quemlibet de viatoribus, et hæc eadem illum intelligere cognoscetis:
Have ye not asked them that go by the way; and will ye misdeem their tokens,
30 Quia in diem perditionis servatur malus, et ad diem furoris ducetur.
That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, that they are led forth to the day of wrath?
31 Quis arguet coram eo viam eius? et quæ fecit, quis reddet illi?
But 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.
For he is borne to the grave, and watch is kept over his 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 all men draw 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? And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness?
