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Liber Iob, 20

1. respondens autem Sophar Naamathites dixit

1. Respondens autem Sophar Naamathites dixit:

2. idcirco cogitationes meæ variæ succedunt sibi et mens in diversa rapitur

2. “Idcirco cogitationes meae reducunt me, eo quod intellectus effulsit in me.

3. doctrinam qua me arguis audiam et spiritus intellegentiæ meæ respondebit mihi

3. Doctrinam, qua me arguis, audiam, at spiritus intellegentiae meae respondebit mihi.

4. hoc scio a principio ex quo positus est homo super terram

4. Scisne hoc a principio, ex quo positus est homo super terram,

5. quod laus impiorum brevis sit et gaudium hypocritæ ad instar puncti

5. quod exsultatio iniquorum brevis sit, et gaudium impiorum ad instar puncti?

6. si ascenderit usque ad cælum superbia ejus et caput ejus nubes tetigerit

6. si ascenderit usque ad caelum superbia eius, et caput eius nubes tetigerit,

7. quasi sterquilinium in fine perdetur et qui eum viderant dicent ubi est

7. quasi sterquilinium in finem perdetur, et, qui eum viderant, dicent: “Ubi est?”.

8. velut somnium avolans non invenietur transiet sicut visio nocturna

8. Velut somnium avolans non invenietur, transiet sicut visio nocturna.

9. oculus qui eum viderat non videbit neque ultra intuebitur eum locus suus

9. Oculus, qui eum viderat, non videbit, neque ultra intuebitur eum locus suus.

10. filii ejus adterentur egestate et manus illius reddent ei dolorem suum

10. Filii eius satagent complacere pauperibus, et manus illius reddent ei possessionem suam.

11. ossa ejus implebuntur vitiis adulescentiæ ejus et cum eo in pulverem dormient

11. Ossa eius, quae implebantur adulescentia, cum eo in pulvere dormient.

12. cum enim dulce fuerit in ore ejus malum abscondet illud sub lingua sua

12. Cum enim dulce fuerit in ore eius malum, abscondet illud sub lingua sua.

13. parcet illi et non derelinquet illud et celabit in gutture suo

13. Parcet illi et non derelinquet illud et celabit in gutture suo.

14. panis ejus in utero illius vertetur in fel aspidum intrinsecus

14. Panis eius in visceribus illius vertetur in fel aspidum intrinsecus.

15. divitias quas devoravit evomet et de ventre illius extrahet eas Deus

15. Divitias, quas devoravit, evomet, et de ventre illius extrahet eas Deus.

16. caput aspidum suget occidet eum lingua viperæ

16. Venenum aspidum sugebat, et occidet eum lingua viperae.

17. non videat rivulos fluminis torrentes mellis et butyri

17. Non videat rivulos olei, torrentes mellis et butyri.

18. luet quæ fecit omnia nec tamen consumetur juxta multitudinem adinventionum suarum sic et sustinebit

18. Restituet quaestum suum nec deglutiet, de opibus venditionum non laetabitur.

19. quoniam confringens nudavit pauperes domum rapuit et non ædificavit eam

19. Quoniam confringens deseruit pauperes, domum rapuit et non aedificavit eam.

20. nec est satiatus venter ejus et cum habuerit quæ cupierat possidere non poterit

20. Nec est satiatus venter eius; et cum desideriis suis evadere non potuit.

21. non remansit de cibo ejus et propterea nihil permanebit de bonis ejus

21. Non fuerunt reliquiae de cibo eius, et propterea nihil permanebit de bonis eius.

22. cum satiatus fuerit artabitur æstuabit et omnis dolor inruet in eum

22. Cum satiatus fuerit, arctabitur; et omnis dolor irruet super eum.

23. utinam impleatur venter ejus ut emittat in eum iram furoris sui et pluat super illum bellum suum

23. Impleat ventrem suum: emittet Deus in eum iram furoris sui et pluet super illum bellum suum.

24. fugiet arma ferrea et inruet in arcum æreum

24. Fugiet arma ferrea et irruet in arcum aereum.

25. eductus et egrediens de vagina sua et fulgurans in amaritudine sua vadent et venient super eum horribiles

25. Sagitta transverberabit corpus eius, et fulgur iecur eius; vadent et venient super eum horribilia.

26. omnes tenebræ absconditæ sunt in occultis ejus devorabit eum ignis qui non succenditur adfligetur relictus in tabernaculo suo

26. Omnes tenebrae absconditae sunt in occultis eius, devorabit eum ignis, qui non succenditur; affligetur relictus in tabernaculo suo.

27. revelabunt cæli iniquitatem ejus et terra consurget adversus eum

27. Revelabunt caeli iniquitatem eius, et terra consurget adversus eum.

28. apertum erit germen domus illius detrahetur in die furoris Dei

28. Auferetur germen domus illius, detrahetur in die furoris Dei.

29. hæc est pars hominis impii a Deo et hereditas verborum ejus a Domino

29. Haec est pars hominis impii a Deo, et hereditas verborum eius a Domino”.



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Footnotes:

20:1-3 - Zophar responds to Job, asserting that the answer to pain and suffering is divine justice. His indignation reflects a belief in immediate retribution, a common theme among Job's friends (see also Proverbs 24:19-20 and Psalm 73:3-17).

20:4-9 - Zophar discusses the brevity of the wicked's life and the inevitable judgment of God. The comparison between the lives of the righteous and the wicked illustrates the certainty that God's justice will prevail (see also Psalm 37:1-2 and 2 Peter 3:9).

20:10-15 - It describes the fate of the wicked, who, though they may have temporal riches, will ultimately face destruction. This message emphasizes the importance of seeking spiritual treasures rather than material riches (see also Matthew 6:19-21 and 1 Timothy 6:7-10).

20:16-19 - Sophar emphasizes that the wicked will be punished for their actions, reflecting the idea that God does not tolerate injustice. This is a warning about the consequences of sin and the need for repentance (see also Romans 2:6-8 and Galatians 5:19-21).

20:29 - Zophar's conclusion reaffirms the certainty of divine judgment, bringing a message of hope to the righteous, who can trust in God's justice. Hope in divine justice is a comforting theme for the faithful (see also Psalm 37:5-6 and Revelation 21:4).

Verses related to Liber Iob, 20:

Job chapter 20 presents Zophar's second speech. How does he describe the fleeting prosperity of the wicked? The text offers a detailed view of the fate of the wicked, suggesting that their success is always temporary. The chapter explores themes such as the ephemeral nature of sinful pleasure, the certainty of divine judgment, and the forced restitution of ill-gotten gains. Job 20 represents a simplistic view of divine justice. Examine with us five biblical passages that correlate with the arguments presented in this challenging chapter.

Psalms 37:35-36: "I saw a wicked and cruel man flourishing like a leafy tree in fertile soil, but he soon disappeared. When I looked for it, it was no longer there." - This psalm echoes the theme of Job 20 about the brevity of the prosperity of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:3: "The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he frustrates the ambition of the wicked." - This proverb reflects the idea in Job 20 that the wicked will eventually lose their wealth.

Ecclesiastes 5:13-14: "There is a terrible evil that I have seen under the sun: riches accumulated to the possessor's own detriment, or riches lost in a bad deal; and the man, having fathered a son, is left with nothing in his hands." - This passage aligns with the description in Job 20 of the temporary wealth of the wicked.

Luke 12:20: "However, God said to him: 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you. So who will get what you prepared?'" - This parable of Jesus reflects the theme of Job 20 about the futility of accumulating wealth unjustly.

James 5:1-3: "Now listen, you rich people! Cry and mourn, considering the misery that will befall you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten away your clothes. Your gold and silver have rusted. Their rust will testify against you and will devour your flesh like fire. You have accumulated goods in these last days." - James expands on the theme of Job 20, warning the rich of coming judgment.

FAQ:

What does Zophar say about the fate of the wicked?

He states that the prosperity of the wicked is fleeting and that they will suffer God's wrath, losing everything they have gained. (Job 20:4-29)

How does Zophar describe the fall of the wicked?

He says that the wicked are humiliated, lose their wealth, and are consumed by divine wrath, leaving no descendants. (Job 20:5-11)

What is Zophar's view of God's justice?

He believes that God always punishes the wicked swiftly, with no room for repentance or recovery. (Job 20:12-29)

How does Zophar use the example of the wealth of the wicked?

He states that wicked people accumulate wealth, but God makes them vomit it out, showing that greed does not prosper before divine justice. (Job 20:15-23)

How do Zophar's words affect Job?

His words reinforce the idea that Job suffers through his own fault, increasing his anguish and emotional pain. (Job 20:2-3)


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