Job 21
1 respondens autem Iob dixit
Then Job answered and said:
2 audite quaeso sermones meos et agetis paenitentiam
Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your consolations.
3 sustinete me ut 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 adtendite 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 securae sunt et pacatae 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 abortit vacca peperit et non est privata fetu 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 quid 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 quotiens 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 paleae 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 mensuum eius dimidietur
For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? seeing the number of his months is determined.
22 numquid Deum quispiam docebit 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 inrigantur
His pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moistened.
25 alius vero moritur in amaritudine animae absque ullis opibus
And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted of good.
26 et tamen simul in pulverem 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 haec eadem eum intellegere cognoscetis
Have ye not asked them that go by the way; and will ye misdeem their tokens,
30 quia in diem perditionis servabitur malus et ad diem furoris ducitur
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 quae 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?
