Scrutatio

Giovedi, 9 maggio 2024 - Beata Maria Teresa di Gesù (Carolina Gerhardinger) ( Letture di oggi)

Job 31


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DOUAI-RHEIMSNEW JERUSALEM
1 I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin.1 I had made an agreement with my eyes not to linger on any virgin.
2 For what part should God from above have in me, and what inheritance the Almighty from on high?2 Now what portion does God al ot from above, what fate does Shaddai apportion from his heaven-
3 Is not destruction to the wicked, and aversion to them that work iniquity?3 if not the disasters appropriate to the wicked and the calamities fit for evil-doers?
4 Doth not he consider my ways, and number all my steps?4 But surely he sees how I behave, does he not count all my steps?
5 If I have walked in vanity, and my foot hath made haste to deceit:5 Have I been a fel ow-travel er with falsehood, or hastened my steps towards deceit?
6 Let him weigh me in a just balance, and let God know my simplicity.6 Let him weigh me on accurate scales: then he, God, will recognise my integrity!
7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and if my heart hath followed my eyes, and if a spot hath cleaved to my hands:7 If my feet have wandered from the rightful path, or if my eyes have led my heart astray, or if my handsare smirched with any stain,
8 Then let me sow and let another eat: and let my offspring be rooted out.8 let someone else eat what I have sown and let my young shoots all be rooted out.
9 If my heart hath been deceived upon a woman, and if I have laid wait at my friend's door:9 If my heart has been seduced by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbour's door,
10 Let my wife be the harlot of another, and let other men lie with her.10 let my wife go and grind for someone else, let others have intercourse with her!
11 For this is a heinous crime, and a most grievous iniquity.11 For I would have committed a sin of lust, a crime punishable by the law,
12 It is a fire that devoureth even to destruction, and rooteth up all things that spring.12 a fire, indeed, burning al to Perdition, which would have devoured my whole revenue.
13 If I have despised to abide judgment with my manservant, or my maidservant, when they had any controversy against me:13 If I have ever infringed the rights of slave or slave-girl in legal actions against me-
14 For what shall I do when God shall rise to judge? and when he shall examine, what shall I answer him?14 what shal I do, when God stands up? What shal I say, when he holds his assize?
15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him also: and did not one and the same form me in the womb?15 Did he not create them in the womb like me, the same God forming us in the womb?
16 If I have denied to the poor what they desired, and have made the eyes of the widow wait:16 Have I been insensible to the needs of the poor, or let a widow's eyes grow dim?
17 If I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof:17 Have I eaten my bit of bread on my own without sharing it with the orphan?
18 (For from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and it came out with me from my mother's womb :)18 I, whom God has fostered father-like from childhood, and guided since I left my mother's womb,
19 If I have despised him that was perishing for want of clothing, and the poor man that had no covering:19 have I ever seen a wretch in need of clothing, or the poor with nothing to wear,
20 If his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep:20 without his having cause to bless me from his heart, as he felt the warmth of the fleece from mylambs?
21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, even when I saw myself superior in the gate:21 Have I raised my hand against an orphan, presuming on my credit at the gate?
22 Let my shoulder fall from its joint, and let my arm with its bones be broken.22 If so, let my shoulder fal from its socket, let my arm break off at the elbow!
23 For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not able to bear.23 For the terror of God would fal on me and I could not then stand my ground before his majesty.
24 If I have thought gold my strength, and have said to fine gold: My confidence:24 Have I put my faith in gold, saying to fine gold, 'Ah, my security'?
25 If I have rejoiced over my great riches, and because my hand had gotten much.25 Have I ever gloated over my great wealth, or the riches that my hands have won?
26 If I beheld the sun when it shined, and the moon going in brightness:26 Or has the sight of the sun in its glory, or the glow of the moon as it walked the sky,
27 And my heart in secret hath rejoiced, and I have kissed my hand with my mouth:27 secretly stolen my heart, so that I blew them a kiss?
28 Which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God.28 That too would be a criminal offence, to have denied the supreme God.
29 If I have been glad at the downfall of him that hated me, and have rejoiced that evil had found him.29 Have I rejoiced at my enemy's misfortune, or exulted when disaster overtook him? -
30 For I have not given my mouth to sin, by wishing a curse to his soul.30 I, who would not allow my tongue to sin or to lay his life under a curse.
31 If the men of my tabernacle have not said: Who will give us of his flesh that we may be filled?31 The people of my tent, did they not say, 'Will anyone name a person whom he has not fil ed withmeat?'
32 The stranger did not stay without, my door was open to the traveller.32 No stranger ever had to sleep outside, my door was always open to the traveller.
33 If as a man I have hid my sin, and have concealed my iniquity in my bosom.33 Have I ever concealed my transgression from others or kept my fault a secret in my breast?
34 If I have been afraid at a very great multitude, and the contempt of kinsmen hath terrified me: and I have not rather held my peace, and not gone out of the door.34 Have I ever stood in fear of common gossip, or dreaded any family's contempt, and so kept quiet, notventuring out of doors?
35 Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire; and that he himself that judgeth would write a book,35 Will no one give me a hearing? I have said my last word; now let Shaddai reply! When my adversaryhas drafted his writ against me
36 That I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown?36 I shall wear it on my shoulder, and bind it round my head like a royal turban.
37 At every step of mine I would pronounce it, and offer it as to a prince.37 I shall give him an account of my every step and go as boldly as a prince to meet him.End of thewords of Job.
38 If my land cry against me, and with it the furrows thereof mourn:38 If my land cries for vengeance against me and its furrows weep in concert,
39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have afflicted the soul of the tillers thereof:39 if I have eaten its produce without paying, and caused the death of its owners,
40 Let thistles grow up to me instead of wheat, and thorns instead of barley.40 let brambles grow instead of wheat, rank weeds instead of barley!