Job Chapter 20
Sophar declares the shortness of the prosperity of the wicked: and their sudden downfall.
20:1. Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:
20:2. Therefore various thoughts succeed one another in me, and my mind is hurried away to different things.
20:3. The doctrine with which thou reprovest me, I will hear, and the spirit of my understanding shall answer for me.
20:4. This I know from the beginning, since man was placed upon the earth,
20:5. That the praise of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment.
20:6. If his pride mount up even to heaven, and his head touch the clouds:
20:7. In the end he shall be destroyed like a dunghill, and they that had seen him, shall say: Where is he?
20:8. As a dream that fleeth away he shall not be found, he shall pass as a vision of the night:
20:9. The eyes that had seen him, shall see him no more, neither shall his place any more behold him.
20:10. His children shall be oppressed with want, and his hands shall render to him his sorrow.
20:11. His bones shall be filled with the vices of his youth, and they shall sleep with him in the dust.
20:12. For when evil shall be sweet in his mouth, he will hide it under his tongue.
20:13. He will spare it, and not leave it, and will hide it in his throat.
20:14. His bread in his belly shall be turned into the gall of asps within him,
20:15. The riches which he hath swallowed, he shall vomit up, and God shall draw them out of his belly.
20:16. He shall suck the head of asps, and the viper's tongue shall kill him.
20:17. Let him not see the streams of the river, the brooks of honey and of butter.
20:18. He shall be punished for all that he did, and yet shall not be consumed: according to the multitude of his devices so also shall he suffer.
According to the multitude of his devices… That is, his stratagems to gratify his passions and to oppress and destroy the poor.
20:19. Because he broke in and stripped the poor: he hath violently taken away a house which he did not build.
20:20. And yet his belly was not filled: and when he hath the things he coveted, he shall not be able to possess them.
20:21. There was nothing left of his meat, and therefore nothing shall continue of his goods:
20:22. When he shall be filled, he shall be straitened, he shall burn, and every sorrow shall fall upon him.
20:23. May his belly be filled, that God may send forth the wrath of his indignation upon him, and rain down his war upon him.
20:24. He shall flee from weapons of iron, and shall fall upon a bow of brass.
20:25. The sword is drawn out, and cometh forth from its scabbard, and glittereth in his bitterness: the terrible ones shall go and come upon him.
20:26. All darkness is hid in his secret places: a fire that is not kindled shall devour him, he shall be afflicted when left in his tabernacle.
20:27. The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him.
20:28. The offspring of his house shall be exposed, he shall be pulled down in the day of God's wrath.
20:29. This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the inheritance of his doings from the Lord.
Job Chapter 21
Job shews that the wicked often prosper in this world, even to the end of their life: but that their judgment is in another world.
21:1. Then Job answered, and said:
21:2. Hear, I beseech you, my words, and do penance.
21:3. Suffer me, and I will speak, and after, if you please, laugh at my words.
21:4. Is my debate against man, that I should not have just reason to be troubled?
21:5. Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth.
21:6. As for me, when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
21:7. Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches?
21:8. Their seed continueth before them, a multitude of kinsmen, and of children's children in their sight.
21:9. Their houses are secure and peaceable, and the rod of God is not upon them.
21:10. Their cattle have conceived, and failed not: their cow has calved, and is not deprived of her fruit.
21:11. Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children dance and play.
21:12. They take the timbrel, and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
21:13. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment they go down to hell.
21:14. Who have said to God: Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
21:15. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what doth it profit us if we pray to him?
21:16. Yet because their good things are not in their hand, may the counsel of the wicked be far from me.
21:17. How often shall the lamp of the wicked be put out, and a deluge come upon them, and he shall distribute the sorrows of his wrath?
21:18. They shall be as chaff before the face of the wind, and as ashes which the whirlwind scattereth.
21:19. God shall lay up the sorrow of the father for his children: and when he shall repay, then shall he know.
21:20. His eyes shall see his own destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21:21. For what is it to him what befalleth his house after him: and if the number of his months be diminished by one half?
21:22. Shall any one teach God knowledge, who judgeth those that are high?
21:23. One man dieth strong, and hale, rich and happy.
21:24. His bowels are full of fat, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
21:25. But another dieth in bitterness of soul without any riches:
21:26. And yet they shall sleep together in the dust, and worms shall cover them.
21:27. Surely I know your thoughts, and your unjust judgments against me.
21:28. For you say: Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
21:29. Ask any one of them that go by the way, and you shall perceive that he knoweth these same things.
21:30. Because the wicked man is reserved to the day of destruction, and he shall be brought to the day of wrath.
21:31. Who shall reprove his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
21:32. He shall be brought to the graves, and shall watch in the heap of the dead.
21:33. He hath been acceptable to the gravel of Cocytus, and he shall draw every man after him, and there are innumerable before him.
Acceptable to the gravel of Cocytus… The Hebrew word, which St. Jerome has here rendered by the name Cocytus, (which the poets represent as a river in hell,) signifies a valley or a torrent: and in this place, is taken for the low region of death and hell: which willingly, as it were, receives the wicked at their death: who are ushered in by innumerable others that have gone before them; and are followed by multitudes above number.
21:34. How then do ye comfort me in vain, whereas your answer is shewn to be repugnant to truth?
Job Chapter 22
Eliphaz falsely imputes many crimes to Job, but promises him prosperity if he will repent.
22:1. Then Eliphaz the Themanite answered, and said:
22:2. Can man be compared with God, even though he were of perfect knowledge?
22:3. What doth it profit God if thou be just? or what dost thou give him if thy way be unspotted?
22:4. Shall he reprove thee for fear, and come with thee into judgment:
22:5. And not for thy manifold wickedness and thy infinite iniquities?
22:6. For thou hast taken away the pledge of thy brethren without cause, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
22:7. Thou hast not given water to the weary, thou hast withdrawn bread from the hungry.
22:8. In the strength of thy arm thou didst possess the land, and being the most mighty thou holdest it.
22:9. Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless thou hast broken in pieces.
22:10. Therefore art thou surrounded with shares, and sudden fear troubleth thee.
22:11. And didst thou think that thou shouldst not see darkness, and that thou shouldst not be covered with the violence of overflowing waters?
22:12. Dost not thou think that God is higher than heaven, and is elevated above the height of the stars?
22:13. And thou sayst: What doth God know? and he judgeth as it were through a mist.
22:14. The clouds are his covert, and he doth not consider our things, and he walketh about the poles of heaven.
22:15. Dost thou desire to keep the path of ages, which wicked men have trodden?
22:16. Who were taken away before their time, and a flood hath overthrown their foundation.
22:17. Who said to God: Depart from us: and looked upon the Almighty as if he could do nothing:
22:18. Whereas he had filled their houses with good things: whose way of thinking be far from me.
22:19. The just shall see, and shall rejoice, and the innocent shall laugh them to scorn.
22:20. Is not their exaltation cut down, and hath not fire devoured the remnants of them?
22:21. Submit thyself then to him, and be at peace: and thereby thou shalt have the best fruits.
22:22. Receive the law of his mouth, and lay up his words in thy heart.
22:23. If thou wilt return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, and shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacle.
22:24. He shall give for earth flint, and for flint torrents of gold.
22:25. And the Almighty shall be against thy enemies, and silver shall be heaped together for thee.
22:26. Then shalt thou abound in delights in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face to God.
22:27. Thou shalt pray to him, and he will hear thee, and thou shalt pay vows.
22:28. Thou shalt decree a thing, and it shall come to thee, and light shall shine in thy ways.
22:29. For he that hath been humbled, shall be in glory: and he that shall bow down his eyes, he shall be saved.
22:30. The innocent shall be saved, and he shall be saved by the cleanness of his hands.
Job Chapter 23
Job wishes to be tried at God's tribunal.
23:1. Then Job answered, and said:
23:2. Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.
23:3. Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?
23:4. I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.
23:5. That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
23:6. I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.
23:7. Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.
23:8. But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.
23:9. If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.
23:10. But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:
23:11. My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.
23:12. I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.
23:13. For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever his soul hath desired, that hath he done.
23:14. And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.
23:15. And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.
23:16. God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.
23:17. For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.
Job Chapter 24
God's providence often suffers the wicked to go on a long time in their sins: but punisheth them in another life.
24:1. Times are not hid from the Almighty: but they that know him, know not his days.
24:2. Some have removed landmarks, have taken away flocks by force, and fed them.
24:3. They have driven away the ass of the fatherless, and have taken away the widow's ox for a pledge.
24:4. They have overturned the way of the poor, and have oppressed together the meek of the earth.
24:5. Others like wild asses in the desert go forth to their work: by watching for a prey they get bread for their children.
24:6. They reap the field that is not their own, and gather the vintage of his vineyard whom by violence they have oppressed.
24:7. They send men away naked, taking away their clothes who have no covering in the cold:
24:8. Who are wet, with the showers of the mountains, and having no covering embrace the stones.
24:9. They have violently robbed the fatherless, and stripped the poor common people.
24:10. From the naked and them that go without clothing, and from the hungry they have taken away the ears of corn.
24:11. They have taken their rest at noon among the stores of them, who after having trodden the winepresses suffer thirst.
24:12. Out of the cities they have made men to groan, and the soul of the wounded hath cried out, and God doth not suffer it to pass unrevenged.
24:13. They have been rebellious to the light, they have not known his ways, neither have they returned by his paths.
24:14. The murderer riseth at the very break of day, he killeth the needy, and the poor man: but in the night he will be as a thief.
24:15. The eye of the adulterer observeth darkness, saying: No eye shall see me: and he will cover his face.
24:16. He diggeth through houses in the dark, as in the day they had appointed for themselves, and they have not known the light.
24:17. If the morning suddenly appear, it is to them the shadow of death: and they walk in darkness as if it were in light.
24:18. He is light upon the face of the water: cursed be his portion on the earth, let him not walk by the way of the vineyards.
24:19. Let him pass from the snow waters to excessive heat, and his sin even to hell.
24:20. Let mercy forget him: may worms be his sweetness: let him be remembered no more, but be broken in pieces as an unfruitful tree.
24:21. For he hath fed the barren that beareth not, and to the widow he hath done no good.
24:22. He hath pulled down the strong by his might: and when he standeth up, he shall not trust to his life.
24:23. God hath given him place for penance, and he abuseth it unto pride: but his eyes are upon his ways.
24:24. They are lifted up for a little while and shall not stand, and shall be brought down as all things, and shall be taken away, and as the tops of the ears of corn they shall be broken.
24:25. And if it be not so, who can convince me that I have lied, and set my words before God?
Job Chapter 25
God's providence often suffers the wicked to go on a long time in their sins: but punisheth them in another life.
25:1. Then Baldad the Suhite answered, and I said:
25:2. Power and terror are with him, who maketh peace in his high places.
25:3. Is there any numbering of his soldiers? and upon whom shall not his light arise?
25:4. Can man be justified compared with God, or he that is born of a woman appear clean?
25:5. Behold even the moon doth not shine, and the stars are not pure in his sight.
25:6. How much less man that is rottenness and the son of man who is a worm?
Job Chapter 26
Job declares his sentiments of the wisdom and power of God.
26:1. Then Job answered, and said:
26:2. Whose helper art thou? is it of him that is weak? and dost thou hold up the arm of him that has no strength?
26:3. To whom hast thou given counsel? perhaps to him that hath no wisdom, and thou hast shewn thy very great prudence.
26:4. Whom hast thou desired to teach? was it not him that made life?
26:5. Behold the giants groan under the waters, and they that dwell with them.
26:6. Hell is naked before him, and there is no covering for destruction.
26:7. He stretched out the north over the empty space, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.
26:8. He bindeth up the waters in his clouds, so that they break not out and fall down together.
26:9. He withholdeth the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud over it.
26:10. He hath set bounds about the waters, till light and darkness come to an end.
26:11. The pillars of heaven tremble, and dread at his beck.
26:12. By his power the seas are suddenly gathered together, and his wisdom has struck the proud one.
26:13. His spirit hath adorned the heavens, and his obstetric hand brought forth the winding serpent.
His obstetric hand brought forth the winding serpent… That is, the omnipotent power of God: which brought forth all things created in time, but conceived in the Divine mind from all eternity. The winding serpent, a constellation of fixed stars winding round the north pole, called Draco. This appears from the foregoing part of the same verse, His spirit hath adorned the heavens.
26:14. Lo, these things are said in part of his ways: and seeing we have heard scarce a little drop of his word, who shall be able to behold the thunder of his greatness?
Job Chapter 27
Job persists in asserting his own innocence, and that hypocrites will be punished in the end.
27:1. Job also added, taking up his parable, and said:
27:2. As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment, and the Almighty, who hath brought my soul to bitterness,
27:3. As long as breath remaineth in me, and the spirit of God in my nostrils,
27:4. My lips shall not speak iniquity, neither shall my tongue contrive lying.
27:5. God forbid that I should judge you to be just: till I die I will not depart from my innocence.
27:6. My justification, which I have begun to hold, I will not forsake: for my heart doth not reprehend me in all my life.
27:7. Let my enemy be as the ungodly, and my adversary as the wicked one.
27:8. For what is the hope of the hypocrite if through covetousness he take by violence, and God deliver not his soul?
27:9. Will God hear his cry, when distress shall come upon him?
27:10. Or can he delight himself in the Almighty, and call upon God at all times?
27:11. I will teach you by the hand of God, what the Almighty hath, and I will not conceal it.
27:12. Behold you all know it, and why do you speak vain things without cause?
27:13. This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the inheritance of the violent, which they shall receive of the Almighty.
27:14. If his sons be multiplied, they shall be for the sword, and his grandsons shall not be filled with bread.
27:15. They that shall remain of him, shall be buried in death, and his widows shall not weep.
27:16. If he shall heap together silver as earth, and prepare raiment as clay,
27:17. He shall prepare indeed, but the just man shall be clothed with it: and the innocent shall divide the silver.
27:18. He hath built his house as a moth, and as a keeper he hath made a booth.
27:19. The rich man when he shall sleep shall take away nothing with him: he shall open his eyes and find nothing.
27:20. Poverty like water shall take hold on him, a tempest shall oppress him in the night:
27:21. A burning wind shall take him up, and carry him away, and as a whirlwind shall snatch him from his place.
27:22. And he shall cast upon him, and shall not spare: out of his hand he would willingly flee.
27:23. He shall clasp his hands upon him, and shall hiss at him, beholding his place.
Job Chapter 28
Man's industry searcheth out many things: true wisdom is taught by God alone.
28:1. Silver hath beginnings of its veins, and gold hath a place wherein it is melted.
28:2. Iron is taken out of the earth, and stone melted with heat is turned into brass.
28:3. He hath set a time for darkness, and the end of all things he considereth, the stone also that is in the dark and the shadow of death.
28:4. The flood divideth from the people that are on their journey, those whom the food of the needy man hath forgotten, and who cannot be come at.
28:5. The land, out of which bread grew in its place, hath been overturned with fire.
28:6. The stones of it are the place of sapphires, and the clods of it are gold.
28:7. The bird hath not known the path, neither hath the eye of the vulture beheld it.
28:8. The children of the merchants have not trodden it, neither hath the lioness passed by it.
28:9. He hath stretched forth his hand to the flint, he hath overturned mountains from the roots.
28:10. In the rocks he hath cut out rivers, and his eye hath seen every precious thing.
28:11. The depths also of rivers he hath searched, and hidden things he hath brought forth to light.
28:12. But where is wisdom to be found, and where is the place of understanding?
28:13. Man knoweth not the price thereof, neither is it found in the land of them that live in delights.
28:14. The depth saith: It is not in me: and the sea saith: It is not with me.
28:15. The finest gold shall not purchase it, neither shall silver be weighed in exchange for it.
28:16. It shall not be compared with the dyed colours of India, or with the most precious stone sardonyx, or the sapphire.
28:17. Gold or crystal cannot equal it, neither shall any vessels of gold be changed for it.
28:18. High and eminent things shall not be mentioned in comparison of it: but wisdom is drawn out of secret places.
28:19. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not be equal to it, neither shall it be compared to the cleanest dyeing.
28:20. Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
28:21. It is hid from the eyes of all living, and the fowls of the air know it not.
28:22. Destruction and death have said: With our ears we have heard the fame thereof.
28:23. God understandeth the way of it, and he knoweth the place thereof.
28:24. For he beholdeth the ends of the world: and looketh on all things that are under heaven.
28:25. Who made a weight for the winds, and weighed the waters by measure.
28:26. When he gave a law for the rain, and a way for the sounding storms.
28:27. Then he saw it, and declared, and prepared, and searched it.
28:28. And he said to man: Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart from evil, is understanding.
Job Chapter 29
Job relates his former happiness, and the respect that all men shewed him.
29:1. Job also added, taking up his parable, and said:
29:2. Who will grant me, that I might be according to the months past, according to the days in which God kept me?
29:3. When his lamp shined over my head, and I walked by his light in darkness?
29:4. As I was in the days of my youth, when God was secretly in my tabernacle?
29:5. When the Almighty was with me: and my servants round about me?
29:6. When I washed my feet with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil?
29:7. When I went out to the gate of the city, and in the street they prepared me a chair?
29:8. The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the old men rose up and stood.
29:9. The princes ceased to speak, and laid the finger on their mouth.
29:10. The rulers held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to their throat.
29:11. The ear that heard me blessed me, and the eye that saw me gave witness to me:
29:12. Because I had delivered the poor man that cried out; and the fatherless, that had no helper.
29:13. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I comforted the heart of the widow.
29:14. I was clad with justice: and I clothed myself with my judgment, as with a robe and a diadem.
29:15. I was an eye to the blind, and a foot to the lame.
29:16. I was the father of the poor: and the cause which I knew not, I searched out most diligently.
29:17. I broke the jaws of the wicked man, and out of his teeth I took away the prey.
29:18. And I said: I shall die in my nest, and as a palm tree shall multiply my days.
29:19. My root is opened beside the waters, and dew shall continue in my harvest.
29:20. My glory shall always be renewed, and my bow in my hand shall be repaired.
29:21. They that heard me, waited for my sentence, and being attentive held their peace at my counsel.
29:22. To my words they durst add nothing, and my speech dropped upon them.
29:23. They waited for me as for rain, and they opened their mouth as for a latter shower.
29:24. If at any time I laughed on them, they believed not, and the light of my countenance fell not on earth.
29:25. If I had a mind to go to them, I sat first, and when I sat as a king, with his army standing about him, yet I was a comforter of them that mourned.
Job Chapter 30
Job shews the wonderful change of his temporal estate, from welfare to great calamity.
30:1. But now the younger in time scorn me, whose fathers I would not have set with the dogs of my flock:
But now the younger in time… That is, younger than I am, and as it were obscure, when I was conspicuous and in magnificence; they now look down on me.
30:2. The strength of whose hands was to me as nothing, and they were thought unworthy of life itself.
30:3. Barren with want and hunger, who gnawed in the wilderness, disfigured with calamity and misery.
30:4. And they ate grass, and barks of trees, and the root of junipers was their food.
30:5. Who snatched up these things out of the valleys, and when they had found any of them, they ran to them with a cry.
30:6. They dwelt in the desert places of torrents, and in caves of earth, or upon the gravel.
30:7. They pleased themselves among these kind of things, and counted it delightful to be under the briers.
30:8. The children of foolish and base men, and not appearing at all upon the earth.
30:9. Now I am turned into their song, and am become their byword.
30:10. They abhor me, and flee far from me, and are not afraid to spit in my face.
30:11. For he hath opened his quiver, and hath afflicted me, and hath put a bridle into my mouth.
30:12. At the right hand of my rising, my calamities forthwith arose: they have overthrown my feet, and have overwhelmed me with their paths as with waves.
30:13. They have destroyed my ways, they have lain in wait against me, and they have prevailed, and there was none to help.
30:14. They have rushed in upon me, as when a wall is broken, and a gate opened, and have rolled themselves down to my miseries.
30:15. I am brought to nothing: as a wind thou hast taken away my desire: and my prosperity hath passed away like a cloud.
30:16. And now my soul fadeth within myself, and the days of affliction possess me.
30:17. In the night my bone is pierced with sorrows: and they that feed upon me, do not sleep.
30:18. With the multitude of them my garment is consumed, and they have girded me about, as with the collar of my coat.
30:19. I am compared to dirt, and am likened to embers and ashes.
30:20. I cry to thee, and thou hearest me not: I stand up, and thou dost not regard me.
30:21. Thou art changed to be cruel toward me, and in the hardness of thy hand thou art against me.
30:22. Thou hast lifted me up, and set me as it were upon the wind, and thou hast mightily dashed me.
30:23. I know that thou wilt deliver me to death, where a house is appointed for every one that liveth.
30:24. But yet thou stretchest not forth thy hand to their consumption: and if they shall fall down thou wilt save.
30:25. I wept heretofore for him that was afflicted, and my soul had compassion on the poor.
30:26. I expected good things, and evils are come upon me: I waited for light, and darkness broke out.
30:27. My inner parts have boiled without any rest, the days of affliction have prevented me.
30:28. I went mourning without indignation; I rose up, and cried in the crowd.
30:29. I was the brother of dragons, and companion of ostriches.
Brother of dragons, etc… Imitating these creatures in their lamentable noise.
30:30. My skin is become black upon me, and my bones are dried up with heat.
30:31. My harp is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of those that weep.
Job Chapter 31
Job, to defend himself from the unjust judgments of his friends, gives a sincere account of his own virtues.
31:1. I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin.
31:2. For what part should God from above have in me, and what inheritance the Almighty from on high?
31:3. Is not destruction to the wicked, and aversion to them that work iniquity?
31:4. Doth not he consider my ways, and number all my steps?
31:5. If I have walked in vanity, and my foot hath made haste to deceit:
31:6. Let him weigh me in a just balance, and let God know my simplicity.
31:7. If my step hath turned out of the way, and if my heart hath followed my eyes, and if a spot hath cleaved to my hands:
31:8. Then let me sow and let another reap: and let my offspring be rooted out.
31:9. If my heart hath been deceived upon a woman, and if I have laid wait at my friend's door:
31:10. Let my wife be the harlot of another, and let other men lie with her.
31:11. For this is a heinous crime, and a most grievous iniquity.
31:12. It is a fire that devoureth even to destruction, and rooteth up all things that spring.
31:13. If I have despised to abide judgment with my manservant, or my maidservant, when they had any controversy against me:
31:14. For what shall I do when God shall rise to judge? and when he shall examine, what shall I answer him?
31:15. Did not he that made me in the womb make him also: and did not one and the same form me in the womb?
31:16. If I have denied to the poor what they desired, and have made the eyes of the widow wait:
31:17. If I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof:
31:18. (For from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and it came out with me from my mother's womb:)
31:19. If I have despised him that was perishing for want of clothing, and the poor man that had no covering:
31:20. If his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep:
31:21. If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, even when I saw myself superior in the gate:
31:22. Let my shoulder fall from its joint, and let my arm with its bones be broken.
31:23. For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was unable to bear.
31:24. If I have thought gold my strength, and have said to fine gold: My confidence:
31:25. If I have rejoiced over my great riches, and because my hand had gotten much.
31:26. If I beheld the sun when it shined and the moon going in brightness:
If I beheld the sun, etc… If I behold the sun and moon with admiration, knowing them to be created and governed by the power of God, I call on my adversaries to produce any thing against me, whereby I could be charged with worshipping the sun or moon.
31:27. And my heart in secret hath rejoiced, and I have kissed my hand with, my mouth:
31:28. Which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God.
31:29. If I have been glad at the downfall of him that hated me, and have rejoiced that evil had found him.
31:30. For I have not given my mouth to sin, by wishing a curse to his soul.
31:31. If the men of my tabernacle have not said: Who will give us of his flesh that we may be filled?
31:32. The stranger did not stay without, my door was open to the traveller.
31:33. If as a man I have hid my sin, and have concealed my iniquity in my bosom.
31:34. If I have been afraid at a very great multitude, and the contempt of kinsmen hath terrified me: and have not rather held my peace, and not gone out of the door.
31:35. Who would grant me a hearing, that the Almighty may hear my desire: and that he himself that judgeth would write a book,
31:36. That I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown?
31:37. At every step of mine I would pronounce it, and offer it as to a prince.
31:38. If my land cry against me, and with it the furrows thereof mourn:
31:39. If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have afflicted the son of the tillers thereof:
31:40. Let thistles grow up to me instead of wheat, and thorns instead of barley.
The words of Job are ended.
Job Chapter 32
Eliu is angry with Job and his friends. He boasts of himself.
32:1. So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he seemed just to himself.
32:2. And Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite of the kindred of Ram, was angry and was moved to indignation: now he was angry against Job, because he said he was just before God.
32:3. And he was angry with his friends, because they had not found a reasonable answer, but only had condemned Job.
32:4. So Eliu waited while Job was speaking because they were his elders that were speaking.
32:5. But when he saw that the three were not able to answer, he was exceedingly angry.
32:6. Then Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, and said: I am younger in days, and you are more ancient, therefore hanging down my head, I was afraid to shew you my opinion.
32:7. For I hoped that greater age would speak, and that a multitude of years would teach wisdom.
32:8. But, as I see, there is a spirit in men, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding.
32:9. They that are aged are not the wise men, neither do the ancients understand judgment.
32:10. Therefore I will speak: Hearken to me, I also will shew you my wisdom.
32:11. For I have waited for your words, I have given ear to your wisdom, as long as you were disputing in words.
32:12. And as long as I thought you said some thing, I considered: but, as I see, there is none of you that can convince Job, and answer his words.
32:13. Lest you should say: We have found wisdom, God hath cast him down, not man.
32:14. He hath spoken nothing to me, and I will not answer him according to your words.
32:15. They were afraid, and answered no more, and they left off speaking.
32:16. Therefore because I have waited, and they have not spoken: they stood, and answered no more:
32:17. I also will answer my part, and will shew my knowledge.
32:18. For I am full of matter to speak of, and the spirit of my bowels straiteneth me.
32:19. Behold, my belly is as new wine which wanteth vent, which bursteth the new vessels.
32:20. I will speak and take breath a little: I will open my lips, and will answer.
32:21. I will not accept the person of man, and I will not level God with man.
I will not level God with man… Here Eliu considers that Job hath put himself on a level with God, by the manner he assumed to justify his own life in speaking to God as if he spoke to an equal: Eliu expresses in the following ver. 22 his fear of punishment hereafter for such an attempt.
32:22. For I know not how long I shall continue, and whether after a while my Maker may take me away.
Job Chapter 33
Eliu blames Job for asserting his own innocence.
33:1. Hear therefore, O Job, my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
33:2. Behold now I have opened my mouth, let my tongue speak within my jaws.
33:3. My words are from my upright heart, and my lips shall speak a pure sentence.
33:4. The spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life.
33:5. If thou canst, answer me, and stand up against my face.
33:6. Behold God hath made me as well as thee, and of the same clay I also was formed.
33:7. But yet let not my wonder terrify thee, and let not my eloquence be burdensome to thee.
33:8. Now thou hast said in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words:
33:9. I am clean, and without sin: I am unspotted, and there is no iniquity in me.
33:10. Because he hath found complaints against me, therefore he hath counted me for his enemy.
33:11. He hath put my feet in the stocks, he hath observed all my paths.
33:12. Now this is the thing in which thou art not justified: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
33:13. Dost thou strive against him, because he hath not answered thee to all words?
33:14. God speaketh once, and repeateth not the selfsame thing the second time.
33:15. By a dream in a vision by night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, and they are sleeping in their beds:
33:16. Then he openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in what they are to learn.
33:17. That he may withdraw a man from the things he is doing, and may deliver him from pride.
33:18. Rescuing his soul from corruption: and his life from passing to the sword.
33:19. He rebuketh also by sorrow in the bed, and he maketh all his bones to wither.
33:20. Bread becometh abominable to him in his life, and to his soul the meat which before he desired.
33:21. His flesh shall be consumed away, and his bones that were covered shall be made bare.
33:22. His soul hath drawn near to corruption, and his life to the destroyers.
33:23. If there shall be an angel speaking for him, one among thousands, to declare man's uprightness,
33:24. He shall have mercy on him, and shall say: Deliver him, that he may not go down to corruption: I have found wherein I may be merciful to him.
33:25. His flesh is consumed with punishments, let him return to the days of his youth.
33:26. He shall pray to God, and he will be gracious to him: and he shall see his face with joy, and he will render to man his justice.
33:27. He shall look upon men, and shall say: I have sinned, and indeed I have offended, and I have not received what I have deserved.
33:28. He hath delivered his soul from going into destruction, that it may live and see the light.
33:29. Behold, all these things God worketh three times within every one.
33:30. That he may withdraw their souls from corruption, and enlighten them with the light of the living.
33:31. Attend, Job, and hearken to me, and hold thy peace, whilst I speak.
33:32. But if thou hast any thing to say, answer me, speak: for I would have thee to appear just.
33:33. And if thou have not, hear me: hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.
Job Chapter 34
Eliu charges Job with blasphemy: and sets forth the power and justice ofGod.
34:1. And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:
34:2. Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:
34:3. For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.
34:4. Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.
34:5. For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.
34:6. For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.
34:7. What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
34:8. Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?
34:9. For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.
34:10. Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from God be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.
34:11. For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.
34:12. For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
34:13. What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?
34:14. If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.
34:15. All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.
34:16. If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.
34:17. Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?
34:18. Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly:
34:19. Who accepteth not the persons of princes: nor hath regarded the tyrant, when he contended against the poor man: for all are the work of his hands.
34:20. They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass, and take away the violent without hand.
34:21. For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.
34:22. There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.
34:23. For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
34:24. He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.
34:25. For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.
34:26. He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.
34:27. Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways:
34:28. So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
34:29. For when he granteth peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hideth his countenance, who is there that can behold him, whether it regard nations, or all men?
34:30. Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?
34:31. Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.
34:32. If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.
34:33. Doth God require it of thee, because it hath displeased thee? for thou begannest to speak, and not I: but if thou know any thing better, speak.
34:34. Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.
34:35. But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.
34:36. My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity.
34:37. Because he addeth blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.
Job Chapter 35
Eliu declares that the good or evil done by man cannot reach God.
35:1. Moreover Eliu spoke these words:
35:2. Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just than God?
35:3. For thou saidst: That which is right doth not please thee: or what will it profit thee if I sin?
35:4. Therefore I will answer thy words, and thy friends with thee.
35:5. Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.
35:6. If thou sin, what shalt thou hurt him? and if thy iniquities be multiplied, what shalt thou do against him?
35:7. And if thou do justly, what shalt thou give him, or what shall he receive of thy hand?
35:8. Thy wickedness may hurt a man that is like thee: and thy justice may help the son of man.
35:9. By reason of the multitude of oppressors they shall cry out: and shall wail for the violence of the arm of tyrants.
35:10. And he hath not said: Where is God, who made me, who hath given songs in the night?
35:11. Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and instructeth us more than the fowls of the air.
35:12. There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men.
35:13. God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one.
35:14. Yea, when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect him.
35:15. For he doth not now bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.
35:16. Therefore Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without knowledge.
Job Chapter 36
Eliu proceeds in setting forth the justice and power of God.
36:1. Eliu also proceeded, and said:
36:2. Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee: for I have yet somewhat to speak in God's behalf.
36:3. I will repeat my knowledge from the beginning, and I will prove my Maker just.
36:4. For indeed my words are without a lie, and perfect knowledge shall be proved to thee.
36:5. God doth not cast away the mighty, whereas he himself also is mighty.
36:6. But he saveth not the wicked, and he giveth judgment to the poor.
36:7. He will not take away his eyes from the just, and he placeth kings on the throne for ever, and they are exalted.
36:8. And if they shall be in chains, and be bound with the cords of poverty:
36:9. He shall shew them their works, and their wicked deeds, because they have been violent.
36:10. He also shall open their ear, to correct them: and shall speak, that they may return from iniquity.
36:11. If they shall hear and observe, they shall accomplish their days in good, and their years in glory.
36:12. But if they hear not, they shall pass by the sword, and shall be consumed in folly.
36:13. Dissemblers and crafty men prove the wrath of God, neither shall they cry when they are bound.
36:14. Their soul shall die in a storm, and their life among the effeminate.
36:15. He shall deliver the poor out of his distress, and shall open his ear in affliction.
36:16. Therefore he shall set thee at large out of the narrow mouth, and which hath no foundation under it: and the rest of thy table shall be full of fatness.
Out of the narrow mouth… That is, out of hell, whose entrance is narrow, and its depth bottomless; but figuratively meant here, that is, from his miseries and calamity to be restored to his former state of happiness.
36:17. Thy cause hath been judged as that of the wicked, cause and judgment thou shalt recover.
36:18. Therefore let not anger overcome thee to oppress any man: neither let multitude of gifts turn thee aside.
36:19. Lay down thy greatness without tribulation, and all the mighty of strength.
36:20. Prolong not the night that people may come up for them.
36:21. Beware thou turn not aside to iniquity: for this thou hast begun to follow after misery.
For this thou hast begun to follow after misery… Eliu charges Job, that notwithstanding his misery, he does not fear God as he ought: but in his judgment, falls into iniquity.
36:22. Behold, God is high in his strength, and none is like him among the lawgivers.
36:23. Who can search out his ways? or who can say to him: Thou hast wrought iniquity?
36:24. Remember that thou knowest not his work, concerning which men have sung.
36:25. All men see him, every one beholdeth afar off.
36:26. Behold, God is great, exceeding our knowledge: the number of his years is inestimable.
36:27. He lifteth up the drops of rain, and poureth out showers like floods:
36:28. Which flow from the clouds that cover all above.
36:29. If he will spread out clouds as his tent,
36:30. And lighten with his light from above, he shall cover also the ends of the sea.
36:31. For by these he judgeth people, and giveth food to many mortals.
36:32. In his hands he hideth the light, and commandeth it to come again.
36:33. He sheweth his friend concerning it, that it is his possession, and that he may come up to it.
Job Chapter 37
Eliu goes on in his discourse, shewing God's wisdom and power, by his wonderful works.
37:1. At this my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.
37:2. Hear ye attentively the terror of his voice, and the sound that cometh out of his mouth.
37:3. He beholdeth under all the heavens, and his light is upon the ends of the earth.
37:4. After it a noise shall roar, he shall thunder with the voice of his majesty, and shall not be found out, when his voice shall be heard.
37:5. God shall thunder wonderfully with his voice, he that doth great and unsearchable things.
37:6. He commandeth the snow to go down upon the earth, and the winter rain, and the shower of his strength.
37:7. He sealeth up the hand of all men, that every one may know his works.
He sealeth up, etc… When he sends those showers of his strength, that is, those storms of rain, he seals up, that is, he shuts up the hands of men from their usual works abroad, and confines them within doors, to consider his works; or to forecast their works, that is, what they themselves are to do.
37:8. Then the beast shall go into his covert, and shall abide in his den.
37:9. Out of the inner parts shall a tempest come, and cold out of the north.
37:10. When God bloweth there cometh frost, and again the waters are poured out abundantly.
37:11. Corn desireth clouds, and the clouds spread their light:
37:12. Which go round about, whithersoever the will of him that governeth them shall lead them, to whatsoever he shall command them upon the face of the whole earth:
37:13. Whether in one tribe, or in his own land, or in what place soever of his mercy he shall command them to be found.
37:14. Hearken to these things, Job: Stand, and consider the wondrous works of God.
37:15. Dost thou know when God commanded the rains, to shew his light of his clouds?
37:16. Knowest thou the great paths of the clouds, and the perfect knowledges?
37:17. Are not thy garments hot, when the south wind blows upon the earth?
37:18. Thou perhaps hast made the heavens with him, which are most strong, as if they were of molten brass.
37:19. Shew us what we may say to him: or we are wrapped up in darkness.
37:20. Who shall tell him the things I speak? even if a man shall speak, he shall be swallowed up.
He shall be swallowed up… All that man can say when he speaks of God, is so little and inconsiderable in comparison with the subject, that man is lost, and as it were swallowed up in so immense an ocean.
37:21. But now they see not the light: the air on a sudden shall be thickened into clouds, and the wind shall pass and drive them away.
37:22. Cold cometh out of the north, and to God praise with fear.
37:23. We cannot find him worthily: he is great in strength, and in judgment, and in justice, and he is ineffable.
37:24. Therefore men shall fear him, and all that seem to themselves to be wise, shall not dare to behold him.
Job Chapter 38
God interposes and shews from the things he hath made, that man cannot comprehend his power and wisdom.
38:1. Then the Lord answered Job out of a whirlwind, and said:
The Lord.. That is, an angel speaking in the name of the Lord.
38:2. Who is this that wrappeth up sentences in unskilful words?
38:3. Gird up thy loins like a man: I will ask thee, and answer thou me.
38:4. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? tell me if thou hast understanding.
38:5. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest or who hath stretched the line upon it?
38:6. Upon what are its bases grounded? or who laid the corner stone thereof,
38:7. When the morning stars praised me together, and all the sons of God made a joyful melody?
38:8. Who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth as issuing out of the womb:
38:9. When I made a cloud the garment thereof, and wrapped it in a mist as in swaddling bands?
38:10. I set my bounds around it, and made it bars and doors:
38:11. And I said: Hitherto thou shalt come, and shalt go no further, and here thou shalt break thy swelling waves.
38:12. Didst thou since thy birth command the morning, and shew the dawning of the day its place?
38:13. And didst thou hold the extremities of the earth shaking them, and hast thou shaken the ungodly out of it?
38:14. The seal shall be restored as clay, and shall stand as a garment.
38:15. From the wicked their light shall be taken away, and the high arm shall be broken.
38:16. Hast thou entered into the depths of the sea, and walked in the lowest parts of the deep?
38:17. Have the gates of death been opened to thee, and hast thou seen the darksome doors?
38:18. Hast thou considered the breadth of the earth? tell me, if thou knowest all things?
38:19. Where is the way where light dwelleth, and where is the place of darkness?
38:20. That thou mayst bring every thing to its own bounds, and understand the paths of the house thereof.
38:21. Didst thou know then that thou shouldst be born? and didst thou know the number of thy days?