Job 15
1 Respondens autem Eliphaz Themanites, dixit:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
2 Numquid sapiens respondebit quasi ventum loquens, et implebit ardore stomachum suum?
“Does a wise man answer with empty counsel or fill his belly with the hot east wind?
3 Arguis verbis eum, qui non est æqualis tibi, et loqueris quod tibi non expedit.
Should he argue with useless words or speeches that serve no purpose?
4 Quantum in te est evacuasti timorem, et tulisti preces coram Deo.
But you even undermine the fear of God and hinder meditation before Him.
5 Docuit enim iniquitas tua os tuum, et imitaris linguam blasphemantium.
For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.
6 Condemnabit te os tuum, et non ego: et labia tua respondebunt tibi.
Your own mouth, not mine, condemns you; your own lips testify against you.
7 Numquid primus homo tu natus es, et ante colles formatus?
Were you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills?
8 Numquid consilium Dei audisti, et inferior te erit eius sapientia?
Do you listen in on the council of God or limit wisdom to yourself?
9 Quid nosti quod ignoremus? quid intelligis quod nesciamus?
What do you know that we do not? What do you understand that is not clear to us?
10 Et senes, et antiqui sunt in nobis multo vetustiores quam patres tui.
Both the gray-haired and the aged are on our side— men much older than your father.
11 Numquid grande est ut consoletur te Deus? sed verba tua prava hoc prohibent
Are the consolations of God not enough for you, even words spoken gently to you?
12 Quid te elevat cor tuum, et quasi magna cogitans, attonitos habes oculos?
Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash,
13 Quid tumet contra Deum spiritus tuus, ut proferas de ore tuo huiuscemodi sermones?
as you turn your spirit against God and pour such words from your mouth?
14 Quid est homo, ut immaculatus sit, et ut iustus appareat natus de muliere?
What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?
15 Ecce inter sanctos eius nemo immutabilis, et cæli non sunt mundi in conspectu eius.
If God puts no trust in His holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in His eyes,
16 Quanto magis abominabilis et inutilis homo, qui bibit quasi aquam iniquitatem?
how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?
17 Ostendam tibi, audi me: quod vidi narrabo tibi.
Listen to me and I will inform you. I will describe what I have seen,
18 Sapientes confitentur, et non abscondunt patres suos.
what was declared by wise men and was not concealed from their fathers,
19 Quibus solis data est terra, et non transivit alienus per eos.
to whom alone the land was given when no foreigner passed among them.
20 Cunctis diebus suis impius superbit, et numerus annorum incertus est tyrannidis eius.
A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless.
21 Sonitus terroris semper in auribus illius: et cum pax sit, ille semper insidias suspicatur.
Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him.
22 Non credit quod reverti possit de tenebris ad lucem, circumspectans undique gladium.
He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword.
23 Cum se moverit ad quærendum panem, novit quod paratus sit in manu eius tenebrarum dies.
He wanders about as food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand.
24 Terrebit eum tribulatio, et angustia vallabit eum, sicut regem, qui præparatur ad prælium.
Distress and anguish terrify him, overwhelming him like a king poised to attack.
25 Tetendit enim adversus Deum manum suam, et contra Omnipotentem roboratus est.
For he has stretched out his hand against God and has vaunted himself against the Almighty,
26 Cucurrit adversus eum erecto collo, et pingui cervice armatus est.
rushing headlong at Him with a thick, studded shield.
27 Operuit faciem eius crassitudo, et de lateribus eius arvina dependet.
Though his face is covered with fat and his waistline bulges with flesh,
28 Habitavit in civitatibus desolatis, et in domibus desertis, quæ in tumulos sunt redactæ.
he will dwell in ruined cities, in abandoned houses destined to become rubble.
29 Non ditabitur, nec perseverabit substantia eius, nec mittet in terra radicem suam.
He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure. His possessions will not overspread the land.
30 Non recedet de tenebris: ramos eius arefaciet flamma, et auferetur spiritu oris sui.
He will not escape from the darkness; the flame will wither his shoots, and the breath of God’s mouth will carry him away.
31 Non credet frustra errore deceptus, quod aliquo pretio redimendus sit.
Let him not deceive himself with trust in emptiness, for emptiness will be his reward.
32 Antequam dies eius impleantur, peribit: et manus eius arescent.
It will be paid in full before his time, and his branch will not flourish.
33 Lædetur quasi vinea in primo flore botrus eius, et quasi oliva proiiciens florem suum.
He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.
34 Congregatio enim hypocritæ sterilis, et ignis devorabit tabernacula eorum, qui munera libenter accipiunt.
For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.
35 Concepit dolorem, et peperit iniquitatem, et uterus eius præparat dolos.
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb is pregnant with deceit.”
