Part 328 (2/2)

39:26. Doth the hawk wax feathered by thy wisdom, spreading her wings to the south?

39:27. Will the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest in high places?

39:28. She abideth among the rocks, and dwelleth among cragged flints, and stony hills, where there is no access.

39:29. From thence she looketh for the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.

39:30. Her young ones shall suck up blood: and wheresoever the carca.s.s shall be, she is immediately there.

39:31. And the Lord went on, and said to Job:

39:32. Shall he that contendeth with G.o.d be so easily silenced? surely he that reproveth G.o.d, ought to answer him.

39:33. Then Job answered the Lord, and said:

39:34. What can I answer, who hath spoken inconsiderately? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.

Spoken inconsiderately... If we discuss all Job's words (saith St.

Gregory), we shall find nothing impiously spoken; as may be gathered from the words of the Lord himself, chap. 42, ver. 7, 8; but what was reprehensible in him, was the manner of expressing himself at times, speaking too much of his own affliction, and too little of G.o.d's goodness towards him, which here he acknowledges as inconsiderate.

39:35. One thing I have spoken, which I wish I had not said: and another, to which I will add no more.

Job Chapter 40

Of the power of G.o.d in the behemoth and the leviathan.

40:1. And the Lord answering Job out of the whirlwind, said:

40:2. Gird up thy loins like a man: I will ask thee, and do thou tell me.

40:3. Wilt thou make void my judgment: and condemn me, that thou mayst be justified?

40:4. And hast thou an arm like G.o.d, and canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

40:5. Clothe thyself with beauty, and set thyself up on high, and be glorious, and put on goodly garments.

40:6. Scatter the proud in thy indignation, and behold every arrogant man, and humble him.

40:7. Look on all that are proud, and confound them, and crush the wicked in their place,

40:8. Hide them in the dust together, and plunge their faces into the pit.

40:9. Then I will confess that thy right hand is able to save thee.

40:10. Behold behemoth whom I made with thee, he eateth gra.s.s like an ox.

<script>