Job 21
1 Respondens autem Job, dixit:
Then Job made answer and said,
2 Audite, quæso, sermones meos, et agite pœnitentiam.
Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
3 Sustinete me, et ego loquar: et post mea, si videbitur, verba, ridete.
Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
4 Numquid contra hominem disputatio mea est, ut merito non debeam contristari?
As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
5 Attendite me et obstupescite, et superponite digitum ori vestro.
Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
6 Et ego, quando recordatus fuero, pertimesco, et concutit carnem meam tremor.
At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
7 Quare ergo impii vivunt, sublevati sunt, confortatique divitiis?
Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
8 Semen eorum permanet coram eis: propinquorum turba et nepotum in conspectu eorum.
Their children are ever 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 free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
10 Bos eorum concepit, et non abortivit: vacca peperit, et non est privata fœtu suo.
Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
11 Egrediuntur quasi greges parvuli eorum, et infantes eorum exultant lusibus.
They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
12 Tenent tympanum et citharam, et gaudent ad sonitum organi.
They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
14 Qui dixerunt Deo: Recede a nobis, et scientiam viarum tuarum nolumus.
Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
15 Quis est Omnipotens, ut serviamus ei? et quid nobis prodest si oraverimus illum?
What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?
16 Verumtamen quia non sunt in manu eorum bona sua, consilium impiorum longe sit a me.
Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
17 Quoties lucerna impiorum extinguetur, et superveniet eis inundatio, et dolores dividet furoris sui?
How frequently is the light of the evil-doers put out, or does trouble come on them? how frequently does his wrath take them with cords?
18 Erunt sicut paleæ ante faciem venti, et sicut favilla quam turbo dispergit.
How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
19 Deus servabit filiis illius dolorem patris, et cum reddiderit, tunc sciet.
You say, God keeps punishment stored up for his children. Let him send it on the man himself, so that he may have the punishment of it!
20 Videbunt oculi ejus interfectionem suam, et de furore Omnipotentis bibet.
Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
21 Quid enim ad eum pertinet de domo sua post se, et si numerus mensium ejus dimidietur?
For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
22 Numquid Deus docebit quispiam scientiam, qui excelsos judicat?
Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
23 Iste moritur robustus et sanus, dives et felix:
One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
24 viscera ejus plena sunt adipe, et medullis ossa illius irrigantur:
His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
25 alius vero moritur in amaritudine animæ absque ullis opibus:
And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
26 et tamen simul in pulvere dormient, et vermes operient eos.
Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
27 Certe novi cogitationes vestras, et sententias contra me iniquas.
See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
28 Dicitis enim: Ubi est domus principis? et ubi tabernacula impiorum?
For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
29 Interrogate quemlibet de viatoribus, et hæc eadem illum intelligere cognoscetis:
Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
30 quia in diem perditionis servatur malus, et ad diem furoris ducetur.
How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
31 Quis arguet coram eo viam ejus? et quæ fecit, quis reddet illi?
Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
32 Ipse ad sepulchra ducetur, et in congerie mortuorum vigilabit.
He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
33 Dulcis fuit glareis Cocyti, et post se omnem hominem trahet, et ante se innumerabiles.
The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.
34 Quomodo igitur consolamini me frustra, cum responsio vestra repugnare ostensa sit veritati?
Why then do you give me comfort with words in which there is no profit, when you see that there is nothing in your answers but deceit?
