The Bible, Douay-Rheims Part 314

Wise men confess and hide not their fathers... That is, the knowledge and doc.u.ments they have received from their fathers they are not ashamed to own.

15:19. To whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger hath pa.s.sed among them.

15:20. The wicked man is proud all his days, and the number of the years of his tyranny is uncertain.

15:21. The sound of dread is always in his ears: and when there is peace, he always suspecteth treason.

15:22. He believeth not that he may return from darkness to light, looking round about for the sword on every side.

15:23. When he moveth himself to seek bread, he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.

15:24. Tribulation shall terrify him, and distress shall surround him, as a king that is prepared for the battle.

15:25. For he hath stretched out his hand against G.o.d, and hath strengthened himself against the Almighty.

15:26. He hath run against him with his neck raised up, and is armed with a fat neck.

15:27. Fatness hath covered his face, and the fat hangeth down on his sides.

15:28. He hath dwelt in desolate cities, and in desert houses that are reduced into heaps.

15:29. He shall not be enriched, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he push his root in the earth.

15:30. He shall not depart out of darkness: the flame shall dry up his branches, and he shall be taken away by the breath of his own mouth.

15:31. He shall not believe, being vainly deceived by error, that he may be redeemed with any price.

15:32. Before his days be full he shall perish: and his hands shall wither away.

15:33. He shall be blasted as a vine when its grapes are in the first flower, and as an olive tree that casteth its flower.

15:34. For the congregation of the hypocrite is barren, and fire shall devour their tabernacles, who love to take bribes.

15:35. He hath conceived sorrow, and hath brought forth iniquity, and his womb prepareth deceits.

Job Chapter 16

Job expostulates with his friends: and appeals to the judgment of G.o.d.

16:1. Then Job answered, and said:

16:2. I have often heard such things as these: you are all troublesome comforters.

16:3. Shall windy words have no end? or is it any trouble to thee to speak?

16:4. I also could speak like you: and would G.o.d your soul were for my soul.

16:5. I would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you.

16:6. I would strengthen you with my mouth, and would move my lips, as sparing you.

16:7. But what shall I do? If I speak, my pain will not rest: and if I hold my peace, it will not depart from me.

16:8. But now my sorrow hath oppressed me, and all my limbs are brought to nothing.

16:9. My wrinkles bear witness against me, and a false speaker riseth up against my face, contradicting me.

16:10. He hath gathered together his fury against me, and threatening me he hath gnashed with his teeth upon me: my enemy hath beheld me with terrible eyes.

16:11. They have opened their mouths upon me, and reproaching me they have struck me on the cheek, they are filled with my pains.

16:12. G.o.d hath shut me up with the unjust man, and hath delivered me into the hands of the wicked.

16:13. I that was formerly so wealthy, am all on a sudden broken to pieces: he hath taken me by my neck, he hath broken me, and hath set me up to be his mark.

16:14. He hath compa.s.sed me round about with his lances, he hath wounded my loins, he hath not spared, and hath poured out my bowels on the earth,

16:15. He hath torn me with wound upon wound, he hath rushed in upon me like a giant.

16:16. I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin, and have covered my flesh with ashes.

16:17. My face is swollen with weeping, and my eyelids are dim.

16:18. These things have I suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to G.o.d.

16:19. O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let my cry find a hiding place in thee.

16:20. For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high.

16:21. My friends are full of words: my eye poureth out tears to G.o.d.

16:22. And O that a man might so be judged with G.o.d, as the son of man is judged with his companion!

16:23. For behold short years pa.s.s away, and I am walking in a path by which I shall not return.

Job Chapter 17

Job's hope in G.o.d: he expects rest in death.

17:1. My spirit shall be wasted, my days shall be shortened and only the grave remaineth for me.

17:2. I have not sinned, and my eye abideth in bitterness.

Not sinned... That is, I am not guilty of such sins as they charge me with.

17:3. Deliver me, O Lord, and set me beside thee, and let any man's hand fight against me.

17:4. Thou hast set their heart far from understanding, therefore they shall not be exalted.