Job 21
1 Respondens autem Job, dixit:
But Job answered and said:
2 [Audite, quæso, sermones meos, et agite pœnitentiam.
Hear attentively my words, And let this be your consolation.
3 Sustinete me, et ego loquar: et post mea, si videbitur, verba, ridete.
Bear with me, that I may speak; And after I have spoken, mock on!
4 Numquid contra hominem disputatio mea est, ut merito non debeam contristari?
Is my complaint concerning man? Why then should I not be angry?
5 Attendite me et obstupescite, et superponite digitum ori vestro.
Look upon me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth!
6 Et ego, quando recordatus fuero, pertimesco, et concutit carnem meam tremor.
When I think of it, I am confounded; Trembling taketh hold of my flesh.
7 Quare ergo impii vivunt, sublevati sunt, confortatique divitiis?
Why is it that the wicked live, Grow old, yea, become mighty in substance?
8 Semen eorum permanet coram eis: propinquorum turba et nepotum in conspectu eorum.
Their children are 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 in peace, without fear, And the rod of God cometh not 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 in a moment go down to the under-world. (Sheol h7585)
14 Qui dixerunt Deo: Recede a nobis, et scientiam viarum tuarum nolumus.
And yet they say unto God, “Depart from us! We desire not the knowledge of thy ways!
15 Quis est Omnipotens, ut serviamus ei? et quid nobis prodest si oraverimus illum?
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what will it profit us, if we pray to him?”
16 Verumtamen quia non sunt in manu eorum bona sua, consilium impiorum longe sit a me.
[[Ye say, ]] “Lo! their prosperity is not secure in their hands! Far from me be the conduct of the wicked!”
17 Quoties lucerna impiorum extinguetur, et superveniet eis inundatio, et dolores dividet furoris sui?
How often is it, that the lamp of the wicked is put out? And that destruction cometh upon them, And that He dispenseth to them tribulations in his anger?
18 Erunt sicut paleæ ante faciem venti, et sicut favilla quam turbo dispergit.
How often are they as stubble before the wind, Or as chaff, which the whirlwind carrieth away?
19 Deus servabit filiis illius dolorem patris, et cum reddiderit, tunc sciet.
“But” [[say ye]] “God layeth up his iniquity for his children.” Let him requite the offender, and let him feel it!
20 Videbunt oculi ejus 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 ejus dimidietur?
For what concern hath he for his household after him, When the number of his own months is completed?
22 Numquid Deus docebit quispiam scientiam, qui excelsos judicat?
Who then shall impart knowledge to God, —To him that judgeth the highest?
23 Iste moritur robustus et sanus, dives et felix:
One dieth in the fulness of his prosperity, Being wholly at ease and quiet;
24 viscera ejus plena sunt adipe, et medullis ossa illius irrigantur:
His sides are full of fat, And his bones moist with marrow.
25 alius vero moritur in amaritudine animæ absque ullis opibus:
Another dieth in bitterness of soul, And hath not tasted pleasure.
26 et tamen simul in pulvere dormient, et vermes operient eos.
Alike they lie down in the dust, And the worms cover them.
27 Certe novi cogitationes vestras, et sententias contra me iniquas.
Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices by which ye wrong me.
28 Dicitis enim: Ubi est domus principis? et ubi tabernacula impiorum?
For ye say, “Where is the house of the oppressor, And where the dwelling-places of the wicked?”
29 Interrogate quemlibet de viatoribus, et hæc eadem illum intelligere cognoscetis:
Have ye never inquired of travellers, And do ye not know their tokens,
30 quia in diem perditionis servatur malus, et ad diem furoris ducetur.
That the wicked is spared in the day of destruction, And that he is borne to his grave in the day of wrath?
31 Quis arguet coram eo viam ejus? et quæ fecit, quis reddet illi?
Who will charge him with his conduct to his face, And who will requite him for the evil he hath done?
32 Ipse ad sepulchra ducetur, et in congerie mortuorum vigilabit.
Even this man is borne with honor to the grave; Yea, he watcheth over his tomb.
33 Dulcis fuit glareis Cocyti, et post se omnem hominem trahet, et ante se innumerabiles.
Sweet to him are the sods of the valley: And all men move after him, As multitudes without number before him.
34 Quomodo igitur consolamini me frustra, cum responsio vestra repugnare ostensa sit veritati?]
Why then do ye offer your vain consolations? Your answers continue false.
