Job 6
1 Respondens autem Job, dixit:
But Job, responding, said:
2 [Utinam appenderentur peccata mea quibus iram merui, et calamitas quam patior, in statera!
I wish that my sins, for which I deserve wrath, and the calamity that I endure, were weighed out on a balance.
3 Quasi arena maris hæc gravior appareret; unde et verba mea dolore sunt plena:
Compared to the sand of the sea, they would appear heavier, and so my words are full of sorrow.
4 quia sagittæ Domini in me sunt, quarum indignatio ebibit spiritum meum; et terrores Domini militant contra me.
For the arrows of the Lord are in me, my spirit drinks of their indignation, and the terrors of the Lord are soldiers against me.
5 Numquid rugiet onager cum habuerit herbam? aut mugiet bos cum ante præsepe plenum steterit?
Will the wild ass bray when he has grass? Or will the ox bellow when he stands before a full manger?
6 aut poterit comedi insulsum, quod non est sale conditum? aut potest aliquis gustare quod gustatum affert mortem?
Or can one eat bland food, which is not seasoned with salt? Or can anyone taste that which, if tasted, causes death?
7 Quæ prius nolebat tangere anima mea, nunc, præ angustia, cibi mei sunt.
The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.
8 Quis det ut veniat petitio mea, et quod expecto tribuat mihi Deus?
Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,
9 et qui cœpit, ipse me conterat; solvat manum suam, et succidat me?
and that he who, at first, had crushed me, will let loose his hand and cut me down?
10 Et hæc mihi sit consolatio, ut affligens me dolore, non parcat, nec contradicam sermonibus Sancti.
And may this be my consolation, that in afflicting me with sorrow, although he might not be lenient with me, I still do not contradict the words of the Holy One.
11 Quæ est enim fortitudo mea, ut sustineam? aut quis finis meus, ut patienter agam?
For what is my strength, that I may continue? Or what is my goal, so that I may act patiently?
12 Nec fortitudo lapidum fortitudo mea, nec caro mea ænea est.
My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh made of bronze.
13 Ecce non est auxilium mihi in me, et necessarii quoque mei recesserunt a me.
Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.
14 Qui tollit ab amico suo misericordiam, timorem Domini derelinquit.
He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.
15 Fratres mei præterierunt me, sicut torrens qui raptim transit in convallibus.
My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.
16 Qui timent pruinam, irruet super eos nix.
Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.
17 Tempore quo fuerint dissipati, peribunt; et ut incaluerit, solventur de loco suo.
At that time, when they are scattered, they will perish, and when it becomes hot, they will be freed from their place.
18 Involutæ sunt semitæ gressuum eorum; ambulabunt in vacuum, et peribunt.
The paths of their steps are entangled; they will walk in vain and will perish.
19 Considerate semitas Thema, itinera Saba, et expectate paulisper.
Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
20 Confusi sunt, quia speravi: venerunt quoque usque ad me, et pudore cooperti sunt.
They have been thrown into confusion, just as I had hoped; they have even come to me and are overwhelmed with shame.
21 Nunc venistis; et modo videntes plagam meam, timetis.
Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.
22 Numquid dixi: Afferte mihi, et de substantia vestra donate mihi?
Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”
23 vel: Liberate me de manu hostis, et de manu robustorum eruite me?
or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”
24 Docete me, et ego tacebo: et si quid forte ignoravi, instruite me.
Teach me, and I will be silent, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.
25 Quare detraxistis sermonibus veritatis, cum e vobis nullus sit qui possit arguere me?
Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?
26 Ad increpandum tantum eloquia concinnatis, et in ventum verba profertis.
You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.
27 Super pupillum irruitis, et subvertere nitimini amicum vestrum.
You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine your friend.
28 Verumtamen quod cœpistis explete: præbete aurem, et videte an mentiar.
Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.
29 Respondete, obsecro, absque contentione; et loquentes id quod justum est, judicate.
Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.
30 Et non invenietis in lingua mea iniquitatem, nec in faucibus meis stultitia personabit.]
And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.
