Job 6
1 Respondens autem Job, dixit:
Then Job replied:
2 Utinam appenderentur peccata mea quibus iram merui, et calamitas quam patior, in statera!
“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.
3 Quasi arena maris hæc gravior appareret; unde et verba mea dolore sunt plena:
For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas— no wonder my words have been rash.
4 quia sagittæ Domini in me sunt, quarum indignatio ebibit spiritum meum; et terrores Domini militant contra me.
For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Numquid rugiet onager cum habuerit herbam? aut mugiet bos cum ante præsepe plenum steterit?
Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?
6 aut poterit comedi insulsum, quod non est sale conditum? aut potest aliquis gustare quod gustatum affert mortem?
Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?
7 Quæ prius nolebat tangere anima mea, nunc, præ angustia, cibi mei sunt.
My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.
8 Quis det ut veniat petitio mea, et quod expecto tribuat mihi Deus?
If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:
9 et qui cœpit, ipse me conterat; solvat manum suam, et succidat me?
that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!
10 Et hæc mihi sit consolatio, ut affligens me dolore, non parcat, nec contradicam sermonibus Sancti.
It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 Quæ est enim fortitudo mea, ut sustineam? aut quis finis meus, ut patienter agam?
What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?
12 Nec fortitudo lapidum fortitudo mea, nec caro mea ænea est.
Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?
13 Ecce non est auxilium mihi in me, et necessarii quoque mei recesserunt a me.
Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?
14 Qui tollit ab amico suo misericordiam, timorem Domini derelinquit.
A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 Fratres mei præterierunt me, sicut torrens qui raptim transit in convallibus.
But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,
16 Qui timent pruinam, irruet super eos nix.
darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,
17 Tempore quo fuerint dissipati, peribunt; et ut incaluerit, solventur de loco suo.
but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.
18 Involutæ sunt semitæ gressuum eorum; ambulabunt in vacuum, et peribunt.
Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.
19 Considerate semitas Thema, itinera Saba, et expectate paulisper.
The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.
20 Confusi sunt, quia speravi: venerunt quoque usque ad me, et pudore cooperti sunt.
They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.
21 Nunc venistis; et modo videntes plagam meam, timetis.
For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.
22 Numquid dixi: Afferte mihi, et de substantia vestra donate mihi?
Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;
23 vel: Liberate me de manu hostis, et de manu robustorum eruite me?
deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?
24 Docete me, et ego tacebo: et si quid forte ignoravi, instruite me.
Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.
25 Quare detraxistis sermonibus veritatis, cum e vobis nullus sit qui possit arguere me?
How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
26 Ad increpandum tantum eloquia concinnatis, et in ventum verba profertis.
Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?
27 Super pupillum irruitis, et subvertere nitimini amicum vestrum.
You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.
28 Verumtamen quod cœpistis explete: præbete aurem, et videte an mentiar.
But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?
29 Respondete, obsecro, absque contentione; et loquentes id quod justum est, judicate.
Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.
30 Et non invenietis in lingua mea iniquitatem, nec in faucibus meis stultitia personabit.
Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?
