Job 15
1 respondens autem Eliphaz Themanites dixit
Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
2 numquid sapiens respondebit quasi in 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 aequalis tui 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 intellegis 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 adtonitos 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 huiuscemodi sermones
as you turn your spirit against God and pour such words from your mouth?
14 quid est homo ut inmaculatus 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 inmutabilis et caeli 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 aquas 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 transibit 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 insidias suspicatur
Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him.
22 non credit quod reverti possit de tenebris circumspectans undique gladium
He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword.
23 cum se moverit ad quaerendum 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 praeparatur ad proelium
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 quae in tumulos sunt redactae
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 credat 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 arescet
It will be paid in full before his time, and his branch will not flourish.
33 laedetur quasi vinea in primo flore botrus eius et quasi oliva proiciens florem suum
He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.
34 congregatio enim hypocritae 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 praeparat dolos
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb is pregnant with deceit.”
