Liber Iob, 6
1. Respondens autem Iob dixit:
1. Then Job answered:
2. “Utinam appenderetur aegritu do mea, et calamitatem meam assumerent in statera!
2. "O that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
3. Nunc vero arena maris haec gravior apparet, inde verbis meis haesito.
3. For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.
4. Quia sagittae Omnipotentis in me sunt, quarum venenum ebibit spiritus meus; et terrores Dei militant contra me. 5 Numquid rugiet onager, cum habuerit herbam? Aut mugiet bos, cum ante praesepe plenum steterit?
4. For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5.
5. Does the wild ass bray when he has grass, or the ox low over his fodder?
6. Aut poterit comedi insulsum, quod non est sale conditum? Aut poterit gustari herba insulsa?
6. Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the slime of the purslane?
7. Quae prius nolebat tangere anima mea, nunc prae angustia cibi mei sunt.
7. My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me.
8. Quis det, ut veniat petitio mea, et, quod exspecto, tribuat mihi Deus?
8. "O that I might have my request, and that God would grant my desire;
9. Utinam Deus me conterat; solvat manum suam et succidat me!
9. that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
10. Et haec mihi sit consolatio, et exsultabo vel in pavore, qui non parcat, nec celabo sermones Sancti.
10. This would be my consolation; I would even exult in pain unsparing; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11. Quae est enim fortitudo mea, ut sustineam? Aut quis finis meus, ut patienter agam?
11. What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?
12. Num fortitudo lapidum, fortitudo mea? Num caro mea aenea est?
12. Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?
13. An non est auxilium mihi in me, et virtus quoque remota est a me?
13. In truth I have no help in me, and any resource is driven from me.
14. Qui tollit ab amico suo misericordiam, timorem Omnipotentis derelinquit.
14. "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15. Fratres mei mentiti sunt me sicut alveus torrentium, qui evanescunt
15. My brethren are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as freshets that pass away,
16. nigrescentes glacie, cum ingruit super eos nix.
16. which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.
17. Tempore, quo diffluunt, arescunt et, ut incaluerit, solvuntur de loco suo.
17. In time of heat they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18. Deflectunt viatorum turmae de viis suis, ascendentes per desertum pereunt.
18. The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste, and perish.
19. Commeatus Thema consideraverunt, viatores Saba speraverunt in eis.
19. The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope.
20. Confusi sunt, quia speraverunt; venerunt eo usque, et pudore cooperti sunt.
20. They are disappointed because they were confident; they come thither and are confounded.
21. Ita nunc vos facti estis mihi; videntes plagam meam, timetis.
21. Such you have now become to me; you see my calamity, and are afraid.
22. Numquid dixi: Afferte mihi et de substantia vestra donate mihi?
22. Have I said, `Make me a gift'? Or, `From your wealth offer a bribe for me'?
23. vel: Liberate me de manu hostis et de manu robustorum eruite me?
23. Or, `Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? Or, `Ransom me from the hand of oppressors'?
24. Docete me, et ego tacebo, et, si quid forte ignoravi, instruite me.
24. "Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have erred.
25. Quare detraxistis sermonibus veritatis, cum e vobis nullus sit, qui possit arguere me?
25. How forceful are honest words! But what does reproof from you reprove?
26. Ad increpandum tantum eloquia concinnatis, sed in ventum verba desperati.
26. Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind?
27. Super pupillum irruitis et subvertere nitimini amicum vestrum.
27. You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.
28. Nunc, quaeso, convertimini ad me, et in faciem vestram non mentiar.
28. "But now, be pleased to look at me; for I will not lie to your face.
29. Revertite! Nulla erit improbitas. Revertite! Adhuc praesens adest iustitia mea.
29. Turn, I pray, let no wrong be done. Turn now, my vindication is at stake.
30. Estne in lingua mea improbitas? An palatum meum non discernit nequitiam?
30. Is there any wrong on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern calamity?
