Part 22 (1/2)

No; the triumph of the wicked is shortlived, And the joy of the unG.o.dly is but for a twinkling.

CLx.x.xII

Though his height tower aloft to the heavens, And his head reach up to the clouds, Yet shall he perish for ever like dung, They who have seen him shall ask: ”Where is he?”

CLx.x.xIII

He flitteth like a dream and shall not be found, Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night; His hands having crushed the needy, Must restore the substance, and he cannot help it.

CLx.x.xIV

He hath swallowed down riches and shall disgorge them anew; They shall be driven out of his belly.

He hath sucked in the poison of asps, The viper's tongue shall slay him.

CLx.x.xV

He shall not gaze upon the rivers, The brooks of honey and milk; He must restore the gain and shall not swallow it, His lucre shall be as sand which he cannot chew.

CLx.x.xVI

For the poor he had crushed and forsaken; Had robbed an house but shall not build it up.

Nought had escaped from his greed, Therefore shall his wealth not endure.

CLx.x.xVII

In the fulness of his abundance he shall be in straits, Every hand of the wretched shall come upon him: He[231] shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, And shall rain down upon him terrors.

CLx.x.xVIII

When he fleeth from the iron weapon, Then the arrow of steel shall transfix him; He draweth, and it cometh out of his back, And the glittering steel out of his gall.

CLx.x.xIX

Terrors will trample upon him, All darkness is hid in store for him; A fire not kindled[232] shall consume him, What remaineth in his tent shall be devoured thereby.

CXC

The heavens reveal his iniquity, And the earth riseth up against him: This is the wicked man's portion from G.o.d, And the heritage appointed him by Elohim.

CXCI

JOB:

Hearken diligently to my speech, And let that stand me in your comfort's stead!

Suffer me that I may speak; And after that I have spoken, mock on!

CXCII

As for me, is my complaint to men?

And how should not my spirit be impatient?

Look upon me, and tremble, And lay your hand upon your mouth![233]

CXCIII