Job 8
1 Respondens autem Baldad Suhites, dixit:
Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
2 Usquequo loqueris talia, et spiritus multiplex sermones oris tui?
“How long will you go on saying such things? The words of your mouth are a blustering wind.
3 Numquid Deus supplantat iudicium? aut Omnipotens subvertit quod iustum est?
Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
4 Etiam si filii tui peccaverunt ei, et dimisit eos in manu iniquitatis suæ:
When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to their rebellion.
5 Tu tamen si diluculo consurrexeris ad Deum, et Omnipotentem fueris deprecatus:
But if you would earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy,
6 Si mundus et rectus incesseris, statim evigilabit ad te, et pacatum reddet habitaculum iustitiæ tuæ:
if you are pure and upright, even now He will rouse Himself on your behalf and restore your righteous estate.
7 In tantum, ut si priora tua fuerint parva, et novissima tua multiplicentur nimis.
Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish.
8 Interroga enim generationem pristinam, et diligenter investiga patrum memoriam:
Please inquire of past generations and consider the discoveries of their fathers.
9 (Hesterni quippe sumus, et ignoramus quoniam sicut umbra dies nostri sunt super terram.)
For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.
10 Et ipsi docebunt te: loquentur tibi, et de corde suo proferent eloquia.
Will they not teach you and tell you, and speak from their understanding?
11 Numquid vivere potest scirpus absque humore? aut crescere carectum sine aqua?
Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water?
12 Cum adhuc sit in flore, nec carpatur manu, ante omnes herbas arescit:
While the shoots are still uncut, they dry up quicker than grass.
13 Sic viæ omnium, qui obliviscuntur Deum, et spes hypocritæ peribit:
Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish.
14 Non ei placebit vecordia sua, et sicut tela aranearum fiducia eius.
His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web.
15 Innitetur super domum suam, et non stabit: fulciet eam, et non consurget:
He leans on his web, but it gives way; he holds fast, but it does not endure.
16 Humectus videtur antequam veniat Sol, et in ortu suo germen eius egredietur.
He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden.
17 Super acervum petrarum radices eius densabuntur, et inter lapides commorabitur.
His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones.
18 Si absorbuerit eum de loco suo, negabit eum, et dicet: Non novi te.
If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’
19 Hæc est enim lætitia viæ eius, ut rursum de terra alii germinentur.
Surely this is the joy of his way; yet others will spring from the dust.
20 Deus non proiiciet simplicem, nec porriget manum malignis:
Behold, God does not reject the blameless, nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers.
21 Donec impleatur risu os tuum, et labia tua iubilo.
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with a shout of joy.
22 Qui oderunt te, induentur confusione: et tabernaculum impiorum non subsistet.
Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”
