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Liber Iob, 21

1. respondens autem Job dixit

1. Respondens autem Iob dixit:

2. audite quæso sermones meos et agetis pænitentiam

2. “Audite, quaeso, sermones meos, et sint haec consolationes vestrae.

3. sustinete me ut et ego loquar et post mea si videbitur verba ridete

3. Sustinete me, et ego loquar; et post verba mea ridebitis.

4. numquid contra hominem disputatio mea est ut merito non debeam contristari

4. Numquid contra hominem disputatio mea est, ut merito non debeam impatiens fieri?

5. adtendite me et obstupescite et superponite digitum ori vestro

5. Attendite me et obstupescite et superponite digitum ori vestro.

6. et ego quando recordatus fuero pertimesco et concutit carnem meam tremor

6. Et ego, quando recordatus fuero, pertimesco, et concutit carnem meam tremor.

7. quare ergo impii vivunt sublevati sunt confortatique divitiis

7. Quare ergo impii vivunt, senuerunt confortatique sunt divitiis?

8. semen eorum permanet coram eis propinquorum turba et nepotum in conspectu eorum

8. Semen eorum permanet coram eis, et progenies eorum in conspectu eorum.

9. domus eorum securæ sunt et pacatæ et non est virga Dei super illos

9. Domus eorum securae sunt et pacatae, et non est virga Dei super illos.

10. bos eorum concepit et non abortit vacca peperit et non est privata fetu suo

10. Bos eorum concepit et non abortivit, vacca peperit et non est privata fetu suo.

11. egrediuntur quasi greges parvuli eorum et infantes eorum exultant lusibus

11. Egrediuntur quasi greges parvuli eorum, et infantes eorum exsultant lusibus.

12. tenent tympanum et citharam et gaudent ad sonitum organi

12. Tenent tympanum et citharam et gaudent ad sonitum organi.

13. ducunt in bonis dies suos et in puncto ad inferna descendunt

13. Ducunt in bonis dies suos et in puncto ad inferna descendunt.

14. qui dixerunt Deo recede a nobis et scientiam viarum tuarum nolumus

14. Qui dixerant Deo: “Recede a nobis! Scientiam viarum tuarum nolumus.

15. quid est Omnipotens ut serviamus ei et quid nobis prodest si oraverimus illum

15. Quis est Omnipotens, ut serviamus ei, et quid nobis prodest, si oraverimus illum?”.

16. verumtamen quia non sunt in manu eorum bona sua consilium impiorum longe sit a me

16. Sint in manu eorum bona sua; consilium vero impiorum longe sit a me.

17. quotiens lucerna impiorum extinguetur et superveniet eis inundatio et dolores dividet furoris sui

17. Quam saepe lucerna impiorum exstinguitur, et superveniet eis pernicies, et dolores dividet in furore suo?

18. erunt sicut paleæ ante faciem venti et sicut favilla quam turbo dispergit

18. Erunt sicut paleae ante faciem venti, et sicut favilla, quam turbo dispergit.

19. Deus servabit filiis illius dolorem patris et cum reddiderit tunc sciet

19. “Servabitne Deus filiis iniquitatem eius?”. Retribuat illi, ut sciat.

20. videbunt oculi ejus interfectionem suam et de furore Omnipotentis bibet

20. Videbunt oculi eius interfectionem suam, et de furore Omnipotentis bibet.

21. quid enim ad eum pertinet de domo sua post se et si numerus mensuum ejus dimidietur

21. Quid enim ad eum pertinet de domo sua post se, et si numerus mensium eius recidetur?

22. numquid Deum quispiam docebit scientiam qui excelsos judicat

22. Numquid Deum docebit quispiam scientiam, qui excelsos iudicat?

23. iste moritur robustus et sanus dives et felix

23. Iste moritur robustus et sanus, dives et felix;

24. viscera ejus plena sunt adipe et medullis ossa illius inrigantur

24. viscera eius plena sunt adipe, et medullis ossa illius irrigantur.

25. alius vero moritur in amaritudine animæ absque ullis opibus

25. Alius vero moritur in amaritudine animae absque ullis opibus;

26. et tamen simul in pulverem dormient et vermes operient eos

26. et tamen simul in pulvere dormient, et vermes operient eos.

27. certe novi cogitationes vestras et sententias contra me iniquas

27. Certe novi cogitationes vestras et sententias contra me iniquas.

28. dicitis enim ubi est domus principis et ubi tabernacula impiorum

28. Dicitis enim: “Ubi est domus principis, et ubi tabernacula impiorum?”.

29. interrogate quemlibet de viatoribus et hæc eadem eum intellegere cognoscetis

29. Nonne interrogastis quemlibet de viatoribus et signa eorum non agnovistis?

30. quia in diem perditionis servabitur malus et ad diem furoris ducitur

30. Quia in diem perditionis servatur malus et ad diem furoris abducetur.

31. quis arguet coram eo viam ejus et quæ fecit quis reddet illi

31. Quis arguet coram eo viam eius, et, quae fecit, quis reddet illi?

32. ipse ad sepulchra ducetur et in congerie mortuorum vigilabit

32. Ipse ad sepulcra ducetur, et super tumulum vigilabunt.

33. dulcis fuit glareis Cocyti et post se omnem hominem trahet et ante se innumerabiles

33. Dulces erunt ei glebae vallis, et post se omnem hominem trahet et ante se innumerabiles.

34. quomodo igitur consolamini me frustra cum responsio vestra repugnare ostensa sit veritati

34. Quomodo igitur consolamini me frustra, et responsionis vestrae restat perfidia?”.



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Footnotes:

21:1-4 - Job begins his response to Zophar by expressing that his complaint is valid. He emphasizes the importance of being heard, showing that pain and suffering deserve attention and reflection (see also Psalm 130:1-2 and Proverbs 18:13).

21:5-9 - Job questions the apparent prosperity of the wicked, challenging the simplistic view that suffering is always a consequence of sin. This reflection leads to an understanding of the complexity of divine justice (see also Psalm 73:3-5 and Ecclesiastes 8:14).

21:10-16 - Job observes that the wicked often live in comfort and security, questioning the logic of his friends who associate prosperity with righteousness. This observation highlights the need for a deeper understanding of divine providence (see also Psalm 37:1-2 and Psalm 49:16-17).

21:17-21 - Job reflects on the reality of death and judgment, stating that what happens after death is a legitimate concern. He emphasizes the importance of considering life beyond this earthly existence (see also Ecclesiastes 3:17 and Hebrews 9:27).

21:22-26 - Job concludes that each person must give an account to God and that human actions are evaluated individually. This statement reinforces the idea that the relationship with God is individual and that divine justice is not limited to the present (see also Romans 14:12 and 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Verses related to Liber Iob, 21:

Job chapter 21 presents Job's response to his friends. Why do the wicked prosper? In this pivotal speech, Job questions the apparent injustice of the prosperity of the wicked, challenging the simplistic view of retribution espoused by his friends. The text explores themes such as the complexity of divine justice, the reality of the suffering of the righteous and the apparent impunity of the wicked in this life. Job 21 delves into the enigma of human suffering and theodicy. Examine with us five biblical passages that illuminate the provocative themes of this challenging chapter.

Psalms 73:3-5: "For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of these wicked people. They do not suffer and have healthy and strong bodies. They are free from everyone's burdens; They are not affected by diseases like other men." - This psalm reflects Job's question in Job 21 about why the wicked sometimes prosper.

Jeremiah 12:1: "You are just, Lord, when I bring a case before you. However, I would like to argue with you about your justice. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all traitors live without problems?" - Jeremiah expresses a frustration similar to Job's in Job 21 about the apparent prosperity of the wicked.

Malachi 3:15: "Now we consider the arrogant to be happy. Those who do evil not only prosper, but when they put God to the test, they go unpunished." - Malachi addresses the same dilemma presented in Job 21 regarding the apparent impunity of the wicked.

Habakkuk 1:13: "Your eyes are so pure that they cannot bear to see evil; you cannot tolerate evil. Why then do you tolerate the wicked? Why do you remain silent while the wicked devour those who are more righteous than they?" - Habakkuk expresses a Job-like perplexity in Job 21 about God's apparent tolerance of the wicked.

2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord does not delay in fulfilling his promise, as some think. On the contrary, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." - Peter offers perspective on the apparent delay in judging the wicked, a theme addressed in Job 21.

FAQ:

Why does Job question the prosperity of the wicked?

Job observes that the wicked prosper, have large families, and live in peace, without suffering immediate judgment, contrasting with the idea that suffering affects only the wicked. (Job 21:7-13)

What does Job say about the fate of the wicked?

He argues that the wicked can die in peace while others suffer, challenging the belief that God visibly punishes them in this life. (Job 21:23-26)

How does Job refute his friends about divine retribution?

He says that divine justice is not always manifested on earth, as many wicked people live without visible punishment, which contradicts the simplistic view of his friends. (Job 21:29-31)

What does Job say about human suffering?

He emphasizes that both good and bad can suffer or prosper, indicating that human suffering does not follow a simple logic of retribution. (Job 21:7-26)

How does Job view God's justice?

He suggests that divine justice may not be evident in this life, but will be manifested in God's time, differing from the short-term view of his friends. (Job 21:30-34)


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