Part 23 (1/2)

CCII

But the guiltless dies with embittered soul, And hath never enjoyed a pleasure; Then they alike lie down in the dust, And the worms shall cover them both.

CCIII

Behold I know your thoughts, And the plots which ye wrongfully weave against me.

And how will ye comfort me in vain, Since of your answers nought but falsehood remains?

CCIV

ELIPHAZ:

Can a man be profitable unto G.o.d?

Only unto himself is the wise man serviceable.

Is it a boon to the Almighty that thou art righteous?

Or is it gain to him that thou makest thy way perfect?

CCV

Will he reprove thee for thy fear of him?

Will he enter with thee into judgment for that?

Is not rather thy wickedness great?

Are not thine iniquities numberless?

CCVI

For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, And stripped the naked of their clothing; Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, And hast withholden bread from the hungry.

CCVII

But as for the mighty man, he held the land, And the honoured man dwelt in it.

Thou hast sent widows away empty, And the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

CCVIII

Therefore snares are round about thee, And sudden fear troubleth thee; Thy light hath become darkness, thou canst not see, And a flood of waters covereth thee.

CCIX

Doth not G.o.d look down from the height of heaven, And crush the mighty for that they are grown haughty, Which say unto G.o.d: ”Depart from us,”

And ”What can the Almighty do against us?”

CCX

And he forsooth ”shall fill their houses with goods,”

And ”be heedless of the counsel of the wicked”: No; the righteous shall look on and be glad, And the innocent shall laugh them to scorn.

CCXI

Befriend now thyself with him, and thou shalt be safe, Thereby shall good come unto thee.