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Mercoledi, 15 maggio 2024 - Sant'Isidoro agricoltore ( Letture di oggi)

Job 40


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DOUAI-RHEIMSNEW JERUSALEM
1 And the Lord answering Job out of the whirlwind, said :1 Stil speaking to Job, Yahweh said:
2 Gird up thy loins like a man : I will ask thee, and do thou tell me.2 Is Yahweh's opponent going to give way? Has God's critic thought up an answer?
3 Wilt thou make void my judgment : and condemn me, that thou mayst be justified?3 Job replied to Yahweh:
4 And hast thou an arm like God, and canst thou thunder with a voice like him?4 My words have been frivolous: what can I reply? I had better lay my hand over my mouth.
5 Clothe thyself with beauty, and set thyself up on high and be glorious, and put on goodly garments.5 I have spoken once, I shal not speak again; I have spoken twice, I have nothing more to say.
6 Scatter the proud in thy indignation, and behold every arrogant man, and humble him.6 Yahweh gave Job his answer from the heart of the tempest. He said:
7 Look on all that are proud, and confound them, and crush the wicked in their place.7 Brace yourself like a fighter, I am going to ask the questions, and you are to inform me!
8 Hide them in the dust together, and plunge their faces into the pit.8 Do you real y want to reverse my judgement, put me in the wrong and yourself in the right?
9 Then I will confess that thy right hand is able to save thee.9 Has your arm the strength of God's, can your voice thunder as loud?
10 Behold behemoth whom I made with thee, he eateth grass like an ox.10 Come on, display your majesty and grandeur, robe yourself in splendour and glory.
11 His strength is in his loins, and his force in the navel of his belly.11 Let the fury of your anger burst forth, humble the haughty at a glance!
12 He setteth up his tail like a cedar, the sinews of his testicles are wrapped together.12 At a glance, bring down al the proud, strike down the wicked where they stand.
13 His bones are like pipes of brass, his gristle like plates of iron.13 Bury the lot of them in the ground, shut them, every one, in the Dungeon.
14 He is the beginning of the ways of God, who made him, he will apply his sword.14 And I shal be the first to pay you homage, since your own right hand is strong enough to save you.
15 To him the mountains bring forth grass : there all the beasts of the field shall play.15 But look at Behemoth, my creature, just as you are! He feeds on greenstuff like the ox,
16 He sleepeth under the shadow, in the covert of the reed, and in moist places.16 but what strength he has in his loins, what power in his stomach muscles!
17 The shades cover his shadow, the willows of the brook shall compass him about.17 His tail is as stiff as a cedar, the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.
18 Behold, he will drink up a river, and not wonder : and he trusteth that the Jordan may run into his mouth.18 His bones are bronze tubes, his frame like forged iron.
19 In his eyes as with a hook he shall take him, and bore through his nostrils with stakes.19 He is the first of the works of God. His Maker threatened him with the sword,
20 Canst thou draw out the leviathan with a hook, or canst thou tie his tongue with a cord?20 forbidding him the mountain regions and al the wild animals that play there.
21 Canst thou put a ring in his nose, or bore through his jaw with a buckle?21 Under the lotus he lies, he hides among the reeds in the swamps.
22 Will he make many supplications to thee, or speak soft words to thee?22 The leaves of the lotus give him shade, the willows by the stream shelter him.
23 Will he make a covenant with thee, and wilt thou take him to be a servant for ever?23 If the river overflows, he does not worry: Jordan might come up to his mouth, but he would not care.
24 Shalt thou play with him as with a bird, or tie him up for thy handmaids?24 Who is going to catch him by the eyes or put poles through his nose?
25 Shall friends cut him in pieces, shall merchants divide him?25 Leviathan, too! Can you catch him with a fish-hook or hold his tongue down with a rope?
26 Wilt thou fill nets with his skin, and the cabins of fishes with his head?26 Can you put a cane through his nostrils or pierce his jaw with a hook?
27 Lay thy hand upon him : remember the battle, and speak no more.27 Will he plead lengthily with you, addressing you in diffident tones?
28 Behold his hope shall fail him, and in the sight of all he shall be cast down.28 Will he strike a bargain with you to become your slave for life?
29 Will you make a pet of him, like a bird, keep him on a lead to amuse your little girls?
30 Is he to be sold by the fishing guild and then retailed by merchants?
31 Riddle his hide with darts? Or his head with fishing spears?
32 You have only to lay a finger on him never to forget the struggle or risk it again!