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Sabato, 11 maggio 2024 - San Fabio e compagni ( Letture di oggi)

Job 6


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DOUAI-RHEIMSNEW JERUSALEM
1 But Job answered, and said:1 Job spoke next. He said:
2 O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance.2 If only my misery could be weighed, and al my il s be put together on the scales!
3 As the sand of the sea this would appear heavier: therefore my words are full of sorrow :3 But they outweigh the sands of the seas: what wonder then if my words are wild?
4 For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me.4 The arrows of Shaddai stick fast in me, my spirit absorbs their poison, God's terrors stand paradedagainst me.
5 Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger?5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox low when its fodder is within reach?
6 Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a man taste that which when tasted bringeth death?6 Is not food insipid, eaten without salt, is there any taste in egg-white?
7 The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish are my meats.7 But the very things my appetite revolts at are now my diet in sickness.
8 Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for?8 Will no one hear my prayer, will not God himself grant my hope?
9 And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off?9 May it please God to crush me, to give his hand free play and do away with me!
10 And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict the words of the Holy One.10 This thought, at least, would give me comfort (a thril of joy in unrelenting pain), that I never rebel edagainst the Holy One's decrees.
11 For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end that I should keep patience?11 But have I the strength to go on waiting? And why be patient, when doomed to such an end?
12 My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass.12 Is mine the strength of stone, is my flesh made of bronze?
13 Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.13 Can I support myself on nothing? Has not al help deserted me?
14 He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.14 Refuse faithful love to your neighbour and you forsake the fear of Shaddai.
15 My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys.15 Like the torrent, my brothers have proved deceptive, as fleeting torrents they flow:
16 They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.16 the ice makes their waters turgid when, above them, the snow melts,
17 At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot they shall be melted out of their place.17 but, come the burning summer, they run dry, they vanish in the heat of the sun.
18 The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.18 Caravans leave the trail to find them, go deep into wastelands, and are lost.
19 Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.19 The caravans of Tema look to them, and on them Sheba's convoys build their hopes.
20 They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame.20 Their trust brings only embarrassment, they reach them only to be thwarted.
21 Now you are come: and now seeing my affliction you are afraid.21 And this is how you now treat me, terrified at the sight of me, you take fright.
22 Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance?22 Have I said to you, 'Give me something, make some present for me at your own cost,
23 Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty?23 snatch me from the grasp of an oppressor, ransom me from the grip of a violent man'?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing, instruct me.24 Put me right, and I shal say no more; show me where I have been at fault.
25 Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?25 Fair comment can be borne without resentment, but what are your strictures aimed at?
26 You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind.26 Do you think mere words deserve censure, desperate speech that the wind blows away?
27 You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend.27 Soon you wil be haggling over the price of an orphan, and sel ing your friend at bargain price!
28 However finish what you have begun, give ear, and see whether I lie.28 Come, I beg you, look at me: man to man, I shal not lie.
29 Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye.29 Relent then, no harm is done; relent then, since I am upright.
30 And you shall not And iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.30 Is evil to be found on my lips? Can I not recognise misfortune when I taste it?