Job 39
1 Numquid nosti tempus partus ibicum in petris, vel parturientes cervas observasti?
Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? [Or] canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
2 Dinumerasti menses conceptus earum, et scisti tempus partus earum?
Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? Or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
3 Incurvantur ad fœtum, et pariunt, et rugitus emittunt.
They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, They cast out their pains.
4 Separantur filii earum, et pergunt ad pastum: egrediuntur, et non revertuntur ad eas.
Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field; They go forth, and return not again.
5 Quis dimisit onagrum liberum, et vincula eius quis solvit?
Who hath sent out the wild ass free? Or who hath loosed the bonds of the swift ass,
6 Cui dedi in solitudine domum, et tabernacula eius in terra salsuginis.
Whose home I have made the wilderness, And the salt land his dwelling-place?
7 Contemnit multitudinem civitatis, clamorem exactoris non audit.
He scorneth the tumult of the city, Neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver.
8 Circumspicit montes pascuæ suæ, et virentia quæque perquirit.
The range of the mountains is his pasture, And he searcheth after every green thing.
9 Numquid volet rhinoceros servire tibi, aut morabitur ad præsepe tuum?
Will the wild-ox be content to serve thee? Or will he abide by thy crib?
10 Numquid alligabis rhinocerota ad arandum loro tuo? aut confringet glebas vallium post te?
Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow? Or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
11 Numquid fiduciam habebis in magna fortitudine eius, et derelinques ei labores tuos?
Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? Or wilt thou leave to him thy labor?
12 Numquid credes illi quod sementem reddat tibi, et aream tuam congreget?
Wilt thou confide in him, that he will bring home thy seed, And gather [the grain] of thy threshing-floor?
13 Penna struthionis similis est pennis herodii, et accipitris.
The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; [But] are they the pinions and plumage of love?
14 Quando derelinquit ova sua in terra, tu forsitan in pulvere calefacies ea?
For she leaveth her eggs on the earth, And warmeth them in the dust,
15 Obliviscitur quod pes conculcet ea, aut bestia agri conterat.
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may trample them.
16 Duratur ad filios suos quasi non sint sui, frustra laboravit nullo timore cogente.
She dealeth hardly with her young ones, as if they were not hers: Though her labor be in vain, [she is] without fear;
17 Privavit enim eam Deus sapientia, nec dedit illi intelligentiam.
Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, Neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
18 Cum tempus fuerit, in altum alas erigit: deridet equum et ascensorem eius.
What time she lifteth up herself on high, She scorneth the horse and his rider.
19 Numquid præbebis equo fortitudinem, aut circumdabis collo eius hinnitum?
Hast thou given the horse [his] might? Hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?
20 Numquid suscitabis eum quasi locustas? gloria narium eius terror.
Hast thou made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is terrible.
21 Terram ungula fodit, exultat audacter: in occursum pergit armatis.
He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: He goeth out to meet the armed men.
22 Contemnit pavorem, nec cedit gladio.
He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; Neither turneth he back from the sword.
23 Super ipsum sonabit pharetra, vibrabit hasta et clypeus.
The quiver rattleth against him, The flashing spear and the javelin.
24 Fervens et fremens sorbet terram, nec reputat tubæ sonare clangorem.
He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; Neither believeth he that it is the voice of the trumpet.
25 Ubi audierit buccinam, dicit: Vah, procul odoratur bellum, exhortationem ducum, et ululatum exercitus.
As oft as the trumpet [soundeth] he saith, Aha! And he smelleth the battle afar off, The thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
26 Numquid per sapientiam tuam plumescit accipiter, expandens alas suas ad Austrum?
Is it by thy wisdom that the hawk soareth, [And] stretcheth her wings toward the south?
27 Numquid ad præceptum tuum elevabitur aquila, et in arduis ponet nidum suum?
Is it at thy command that the eagle mounteth up, And maketh her nest on high?
28 In petris manet, et in præruptis silicibus commoratur, atque inaccessis rupibus.
On the cliff she dwelleth, and maketh her home, Upon the point of the cliff, and the stronghold.
29 Inde contemplatur escam, et de longe oculi eius prospiciunt,
From thence she spieth out the prey; Her eyes behold it afar off.
30 Pulli eius lambent sanguinem: et ubicumque cadaver fuerit, statim adest.
Her young ones also suck up blood: And where the slain are, there is she.
