< Job 21 >

1 Then Job answered and said:
Respondens autem Iob, dixit:
2 Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your consolations.
Audite quæso sermones meos, et agite pœnitentiam.
3 Suffer me, that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
Sustinete me, et ego loquar, et post mea, si videbitur, verba ridete.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? Or why should I not be impatient?
Numquid contra hominem disputatio mea est, ut merito non debeam contristari?
5 Turn unto me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
Attendite me, et obstupescite, et superponite digitum ori vestro:
6 Even when I remember I am affrighted, and horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.
Et ego quando recordatus fuero, pertimesco, et concutit carnem meam tremor.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
Quare ergo impii vivunt, sublevati sunt, confortatique divitiis?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Semen eorum permanet coram eis, propinquorum turba, et nepotum in conspectu eorum.
9 Their houses are safe, without fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
Domus eorum securæ sunt et pacatæ, et non est virga Dei super illos.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
Bos eorum concepit, et non abortivit: vacca peperit, et non est privata fœtu suo.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
Egrediuntur quasi greges parvuli eorum, et infantes eorum exultant lusibus.
12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
Tenent tympanum, et citharam, et gaudent ad sonitum organi.
13 They spend their days in prosperity, and peacefully they go down to the grave. (Sheol h7585)
Ducunt in bonis dies suos, et in puncto ad inferna descendunt. (Sheol h7585)
14 Yet they said unto God: 'Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.
Qui dixerunt Deo: Recede a nobis, et scientiam viarum tuarum nolumus.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?' —
Quis est Omnipotens, ut serviamus ei? et quid nobis prodest si oraverimus illum?
16 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
Verumtamen quia non sunt in manu eorum bona sua, consilium impiorum longe sit a me.
17 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?
Quoties lucerna impiorum extinguetur, et superveniet eis inundatio, et dolores dividet furoris sui?
18 That they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm stealeth away?
Erunt sicut paleæ ante faciem venti, et sicut favilla quam turbo dispergit.
19 'God layeth up his iniquity for his children!' — let Him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it.
Deus servabit filiis illius dolorem patris: et cum reddiderit, tunc sciet.
20 Let his own eyes see his destruction, and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
Videbunt oculi eius interfectionem suam, et de furore Omnipotentis bibet.
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? seeing the number of his months is determined.
Quid enim ad eum pertinet de domo sua post se? et si numerus mensium eius dimidietur?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing it is He that judgeth those that are high.
Numquid Deus docebit quispiam scientiam, qui excelsos iudicat?
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
Iste moritur robustus et sanus, dives et felix.
24 His pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moistened.
Viscera eius plena sunt adipe, et medullis ossa illius irrigantur:
25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted of good.
Alius vero moritur in amaritudine animæ absque ullis opibus:
26 They lie down alike in the dust, and the worm covereth them.
Et tamen simul in pulvere dormient, et vermes operient eos.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
Certe novi cogitationes vestras, et sententias contra me iniquas.
28 For ye say: 'Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?'
Dicitis enim: Ubi est domus principis? et ubi tabernacula impiorum?
29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way; and will ye misdeem their tokens,
Interrogate quemlibet de viatoribus, et hæc eadem illum intelligere cognoscetis:
30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, that they are led forth to the day of wrath?
Quia in diem perditionis servatur malus, et ad diem furoris ducetur.
31 But who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
Quis arguet coram eo viam eius? et quæ fecit, quis reddet illi?
32 For he is borne to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
Ipse ad sepulchra ducetur, et in congerie mortuorum vigilabit.
33 The clods of the valley are sweet unto him, and all men draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.
Dulcis fuit glareis Cocyti, et post se omnem hominem trahet, et ante se innumerabiles.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain? And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness?
Quomodo igitur consolamini me frustra, cum responsio vestra repugnare ostensa sit veritati?

< Job 21 >