Shir ha-Shirim (שיר השירים ) - Cantico dei Cantici 40

MODERN HEBREW BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 ויען יהוה את איוב ויאמר	1 The LORD then said to Job:
2 הרב עם שדי יסור מוכיח אלוה יעננה	2 Will we have arguing with the Almighty by the critic? Let him who would correct God give answer!
3 ויען איוב את יהוה ויאמר	3 Then Job answered the LORD and said:
4 הן קלתי מה אשיבך ידי שמתי למו פי	4 Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth.
5 אחת דברתי ולא אענה ושתים ולא אוסיף	5 Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more.
6 ויען יהוה את איוב מן סערה ויאמר	6 Then the LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said:
7 אזר נא כגבר חלציך אשאלך והודיעני	7 Gird up your loins now, like a man. I will question you, and you tell me the answers!
8 האף תפר משפטי תרשיעני למען תצדק	8 Would you refuse to acknowledge my right? Would you condemn me that you may be justified?
9 ואם זרוע כאל לך ובקול כמהו תרעם	9 Have you an arm like that of God, or can you thunder with a voice like his?
10 עדה נא גאון וגבה והוד והדר תלבש	10 Adorn yourself with grandeur and majesty, and array yourself with glory and splendor.
11 הפץ עברות אפך וראה כל גאה והשפילהו	11 Let loose the fury of your wrath;
12 ראה כל גאה הכניעהו והדך רשעים תחתם	12 tear down the wicked and shatter them. Bring down the haughty with a glance;
13 טמנם בעפר יחד פניהם חבש בטמון	13 bury them in the dust together; in the hidden world imprison them.
14 וגם אני אודך כי תושע לך ימינך	14 Then will I too acknowledge that your own right hand can save you.
15 הנה נא בהמות אשר עשיתי עמך חציר כבקר יאכל	15 See, besides you I made Behemoth, that feeds on grass like an ox.
16 הנה נא כחו במתניו ואנו בשרירי בטנו	16 Behold the strength in his loins, and his vigor in the sinews of his belly.
17 יחפץ זנבו כמו ארז גידי פחדו ישרגו	17 He carries his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are like cables.
18 עצמיו אפיקי נחושה גרמיו כמטיל ברזל	18 His bones are like tubes of bronze; his frame is like iron rods.
19 הוא ראשית דרכי אל העשו יגש חרבו	19 He came at the beginning of God's ways, and was made the taskmaster of his fellows;
20 כי בול הרים ישאו לו וכל חית השדה ישחקו שם	20 For the produce of the mountains is brought to him, and of all wild animals he makes sport.
21 תחת צאלים ישכב בסתר קנה ובצה	21 Under the lotus trees he lies, in coverts of the reedy swamp.
22 יסכהו צאלים צללו יסבוהו ערבי נחל	22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade; all about him are the poplars on the bank.
23 הן יעשק נהר לא יחפוז יבטח כי יגיח ירדן אל פיהו	23 If the river grows violent, he is not disturbed; he is tranquil though the torrent surges about his mouth.
24 בעיניו יקחנו במוקשים ינקב אף	24 Who can capture him by his eyes, or pierce his nose with a trap?
	25 Can you lead about Leviathan with a hook, or curb his tongue with a bit?
	26 Can you put a rope into his nose, or pierce through his cheek with a gaff?
	27 Will he then plead with you, time after time, or address you with tender words?
	28 Will he make an agreement with you that you may have him as a slave forever?
	29 Can you play with him, as with a bird? Can you put him in leash for your maidens?
	30 Will the traders bargain for him? Will the merchants divide him up?
	31 Can you fill his hide with barbs, or his head with fish spears?
	32 Once you but lay a hand upon him, no need to recall any other conflict!