Job, 21
Job shews that the wicked often prosper in this world, even to the end of their life: but that their judgment is in another world.
[1] Then Job answered, and said: •
[2] Hear, I beseech you, my words, and do penance. •
[3] Suffer me, and I will speak, and after, if you please, laugh at my words.
[4] Is my debate against man, that I should not have just reason to be troubled? •
[5] Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth. •
[6] As for me, when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
[7] Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches? •
[8] Their seed continueth before them, a multitude of kinsmen, and of children's children in their sight. •
[9] Their houses are secure and peaceable, and the rod of God is not upon them. •
[10] Their cattle have conceived, and failed not: their cow has calved, and is not deprived of her fruit. •
[11] Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children dance and play. •
[12] They take the timbrel, and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. •
[13] They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment they go down to hell. •
[14] Who have said to God: Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. •
[15] Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what doth it profit us if we pray to him? •
[16] Yet because their good things are not in their hand, may the counsel of the wicked be far from me. •
[17] How often shall the lamp of the wicked be put out, and a deluge come upon them, and he shall distribute the sorrows of his wrath? •
[18] They shall be as chaff before the face of the wind, and as ashes which the whirlwind scattereth.
[19] God shall lay up the sorrow of the father for his children: and when he shall repay, then shall he know. •
[20] His eyes shall see his own destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. •
[21] For what is it to him what befalleth his house after him: and if the number of his months be diminished by one half? •
[22] Shall any one teach God knowledge, who judgeth those that are high? •
[23] One man dieth strong, and hale, rich and happy. •
[24] His bowels are full of fat, and his bones are moistened with marrow. •
[25] But another dieth in bitterness of soul without any riches: •
[26] And yet they shall sleep together in the dust, and worms shall cover them.
[27] Surely I know your thoughts, and your unjust judgments against me. •
[28] For you say: Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? •
[29] Ask any one of them that go by the way, and you shall perceive that he knoweth these same things. •
[30] Because the wicked man is reserved to the day of destruction, and he shall be brought to the day of wrath. •
[31] Who shall reprove his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done? •
[32] He shall be brought to the graves, and shall watch in the heap of the dead. •
[33] He hath been acceptable to the gravel of Cocytus 1, and he shall draw every man after him, and there are innumerable before him. •
Acceptable to the gravel of Cocytus: The Hebrew word, which St. Jerome has here rendered by the name Cocytus, (which the poets represent as a river in hell,) signifies a valley or a torrent: and in this place, is taken for the low region of death and hell: which willingly, as it were, receives the wicked at their death: who are ushered in by innumerable others that have gone before them; and are followed by multitudes above number.
[34] How then do ye comfort me in vain, whereas your answer is shewn to be repugnant to truth? •