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Venerdi, 10 maggio 2024 - San Giobbe ( Letture di oggi)

Job 40


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NEW AMERICAN BIBLECATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 The LORD then said to Job:1 But the Lord, answering Job out of the whirlwind, said:
2 Will we have arguing with the Almighty by the critic? Let him who would correct God give answer!2 Gird your waist like a man. I will question you, and you must answer me.
3 Then Job answered the LORD and said:3 Will you make my judgment null and void; and will you condemn me so that you may be justified?
4 Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth.4 And do you have an arm like God, or a voice like thunder?
5 Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more.5 Envelop yourself with splendor, and raise yourself up on high, and be glorious, and put on splendid garments.
6 Then the LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said:6 Scatter the arrogant with your wrath, and, when you see all the arrogant, humble them.
7 Gird up your loins now, like a man. I will question you, and you tell me the answers!7 Look down upon each of the arrogant and confound them, and crush the impious in their place.
8 Would you refuse to acknowledge my right? Would you condemn me that you may be justified?8 Hide them in the dust together and plunge their faces into the pit.
9 Have you an arm like that of God, or can you thunder with a voice like his?9 Then I will confess that your right hand is able to save you.
10 Adorn yourself with grandeur and majesty, and array yourself with glory and splendor.10 Behold, the behemoth, whom I created along with you, eats hay like an ox.
11 Let loose the fury of your wrath;11 His strength is in his lower back, and his power is in the center of his abdomen.
12 tear down the wicked and shatter them. Bring down the haughty with a glance;12 He draws up his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs have been drawn together.
13 bury them in the dust together; in the hidden world imprison them.13 His bones are like pipes of brass; his cartilage is like plates of iron.
14 Then will I too acknowledge that your own right hand can save you.14 He is the beginning of the ways of God, who made him; he will use him as his sword.
15 See, besides you I made Behemoth, that feeds on grass like an ox.15 The mountains bring forth grass for him; all the beasts of the field will play there.
16 Behold the strength in his loins, and his vigor in the sinews of his belly.16 He sleeps in the shadows, under the cover of branches, and in moist places.
17 He carries his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are like cables.17 The shadows cover his shadow; the willows of the brook will encircle him.
18 His bones are like tubes of bronze; his frame is like iron rods.18 Behold, he will drink a river and not be amazed, and he has confidence that the Jordan could flow into his mouth.
19 He came at the beginning of God's ways, and was made the taskmaster of his fellows;19 He will seize him through his eyes, as if with a hook, and he will bore through his nostrils, as if with stakes.
20 For the produce of the mountains is brought to him, and of all wild animals he makes sport.20 Can you draw out the leviathan with a hook, and can you bind his tongue with a cord?
21 Under the lotus trees he lies, in coverts of the reedy swamp.21 Can you place a ring in his nose, or bore through his jaw with an arm band?
22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade; all about him are the poplars on the bank.22 Will he offer many prayers to you, or speak to you quietly?
23 If the river grows violent, he is not disturbed; he is tranquil though the torrent surges about his mouth.23 Will he form a covenant with you, and will you accept him as a servant forever?
24 Who can capture him by his eyes, or pierce his nose with a trap?24 Will you play with him as with a bird, or tether him for your handmaids?
25 Can you lead about Leviathan with a hook, or curb his tongue with a bit?25 Will your friends cut him into pieces, will dealers distribute him?
26 Can you put a rope into his nose, or pierce through his cheek with a gaff?26 Will you fill up bags with his hide, and let his head be used as a home for fishes?
27 Will he then plead with you, time after time, or address you with tender words?27 Place your hand upon him; remember the battle and speak no more.
28 Will he make an agreement with you that you may have him as a slave forever?28 Behold, his hope will fail him, and in the sight of all, he will be thrown down.
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!