< Job 21 >
1 But 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? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
Numquid contra hominem disputatio mea est, ut merito non debeam contristari?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand on your mouth.
Attendite me, et obstupescite, et superponite digitum ori vestro:
6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling takes hold on my flesh.
Et ego quando recordatus fuero, pertimesco, et concutit carnem meam tremor.
7 Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, are 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 from fear, neither is the rod of God on them.
Domus eorum securæ sunt et pacatæ, et non est virga Dei super illos.
10 Their bull engenders, and fails not; their cow calves, and casts 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 take the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
Tenent tympanum, et citharam, et gaudent ad sonitum organi.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. (Sheol )
Ducunt in bonis dies suos, et in puncto ad inferna descendunt. (Sheol )
14 Therefore they say to God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of your 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 to him?
Quis est Omnipotens, ut serviamus ei? et quid nobis prodest si oraverimus illum?
16 See, their good 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 the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft comes their destruction on them! God distributes sorrows in his anger.
Quoties lucerna impiorum extinguetur, et superveniet eis inundatio, et dolores dividet furoris sui?
18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away.
Erunt sicut paleæ ante faciem venti, et sicut favilla quam turbo dispergit.
19 God lays up his iniquity for his children: he rewards him, and he shall know it.
Deus servabit filiis illius dolorem patris: et cum reddiderit, tunc sciet.
20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
Videbunt oculi eius interfectionem suam, et de furore Omnipotentis bibet.
21 For what pleasure has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the middle?
Quid enim ad eum pertinet de domo sua post se? et si numerus mensium eius dimidietur?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judges those that are high.
Numquid Deus docebit quispiam scientiam, qui excelsos iudicat?
23 One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
Iste moritur robustus et sanus, dives et felix.
24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
Viscera eius plena sunt adipe, et medullis ossa illius irrigantur:
25 And another dies in the bitterness of his soul, and never eats with pleasure.
Alius vero moritur in amaritudine animæ absque ullis opibus:
26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
Et tamen simul in pulvere dormient, et vermes operient eos.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which you wrongfully imagine against me.
Certe novi cogitationes vestras, et sententias contra me iniquas.
28 For you say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
Dicitis enim: Ubi est domus principis? et ubi tabernacula impiorum?
29 Have you not asked them that go by the way? and do you not know their tokens,
Interrogate quemlibet de viatoribus, et hæc eadem illum intelligere cognoscetis:
30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
Quia in diem perditionis servatur malus, et ad diem furoris ducetur.
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he has done?
Quis arguet coram eo viam eius? et quæ fecit, quis reddet illi?
32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
Ipse ad sepulchra ducetur, et in congerie mortuorum vigilabit.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
Dulcis fuit glareis Cocyti, et post se omnem hominem trahet, et ante se innumerabiles.
34 How then comfort you me in vain, seeing in your answers there remains falsehood?
Quomodo igitur consolamini me frustra, cum responsio vestra repugnare ostensa sit veritati?