1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. 2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. 3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. 4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. 6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay. 7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying , 9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. 10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, 11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. 12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. 13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: 20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. 23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth: 26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. 27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. 31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. 32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. 33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
Ēlīhu pārmetumi Ījabam
1 Patiesi,
tik ieklausies, Ījab, manos vārdos,
tik ieklausies manās runās!
2 Redzi, atdaru muti,
mana mēle no aukslējām runā,
3 sirds taisnums ir manos vārdos,
ko manas lūpas zina, to skaidri teic.
4 Dieva Gars radīja mani,
Visuvarenā dvaša dzīvina mani –
5 ja vari, atbildi man,
saņemies un stājies man pretī!
6 Redzi, Dieva priekšā es tāds pats kā tu,
no māla mīcīts arī es!
7 Jā, no manis tev jābīstas nav,
nedz mana roka būs smaga.
8 Tu runāji man ausīs,
es tavus vārdus saklausīju:
9 es esmu šķīsts un bez vainas,
skaidrs es un grēka man nav –
10 ieganstus viņš atrod pret mani,
tur mani par naidnieku sev,
11 viņš manas kājas liek siekstā,
uzrauga visas manas takas! –
12 Nav tev taisnība! – atbildu tev,
jo par cilvēku lielāks ir Dievs!
13 Kāpēc tu cel pret viņu sūdzību?
Jo viņa runām viņš neatbild!
14 Ja vienu reizi runā Dievs
un otru reizi, bet tie nepamana –
15 sapnī, nakts jausmās,
kad cilvēkiem uzkrīt ciets miegs,
kad snauda uznāk cisās,
16 tad viņš atdara tiem ausis,
pārmācīdams biedina tos,
17 cilvēku novērš no netaisnības,
no vīra lepnību atvaira,
18 no bedres dvēseli attur
un dzīvību no asmens!
19 Cits guļ ciešanu piemeklēts,
kaulu lauzējs nelaiž to,
20 tā dzīvībai maize derdz,
riebj dvēselei gards kumoss,
21 miesa dilst, ka vairs neredz,
un izspiežas kauli, kas bija apslēpti.
22 Dvēsele tam pošas uz bedri
un dzīvība pie nāvētājiem.
23 Ja tam ir vēstnesis klāt,
ja vidutājs, viens starp tūkstošiem,
kas viņa taisnību var apliecināt,
24 kas žēlo viņu un saka:
neliec šim nokāpt bedrē,
man ir ķīla! –
25 Tad miesa šim uzplauks kā jaunībā,
šis atgriezīsies zaļoksnās dienās,
26 šis Dievu lūgs, viņš šo uzlūkos,
šis redzēs viņa vaigu un uzgavilēs,
šā taisnību viņš šim atdos!
27 Šis dziedās un cilvēku priekšā sacīs:
es grēkoju, taisnību sagrozīju,
bet man netika atdarīts!
28 Manu dvēseli viņš glābs no bedres,
un mana dzīvība redzēs gaismu! –
29 Redzi, ko visu dara Dievs
divreiz cilvēkam un vēl trīs reizes,
30 lai šā dvēseli atņemtu bedrei,
apgaismotu ar dzīvības gaismu!
31 Uzklausi, Ījab, sadzirdi mani,
paklusē, nu runāšu es!
32 Ja tev ir vārdi, atspēko mani –
runā! – man prieks attaisnot tevi!
33 Bet, ja ne, tad tu klausies manī,
klusē, es mācīšu gudrību tev!”
