The Sceptics of the Old Testament: Job - Koheleth - Agur Part 22

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

Even when I remember, I am dismayed, And trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

Wherefore do the wicked live?

Become old, yea, wax mighty in strength?

CXCIV

Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of G.o.d upon them; Their bull genders and faileth not, Their cow casteth not her calf.

CXCV

Their seed is established in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes; They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children skip about.

CXCVI

They take down the timbrel and the harp, And delight in the sound of the bagpipe; They while away their days in bliss, And in a twinkling go down to the grave.[234]

CXCVII

And yet they say unto G.o.d: "Depart from us, We desire not the knowledge of thy ways."

Yet hold they not happiness in their own hands?

Is he not heedless of the counsel of the wicked?

CXCVIII

How oft is "the lamp of evil-doers put out"?

And how often doth "ruin" overwhelm them?

How oft are they as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm carries away?

CXCIX

Ye say, "G.o.d h.o.a.rds punishment for the[235] children."

Let him rather requite the wicked himself that he may feel it!

His own eyes should behold his downfall And he himself should drain the Almighty's wrath!

CC

If his sons are honoured,[236] he will not know it, And if dishonoured, he will not perceive it.

Only in his own flesh doth he feel pain, And for his own soul will he lament.

CCI

Is the wicked taught understanding by G.o.d?

And does he judge the man of blood?

Nay, he[237] filleth his milk vessels with milk, And supplieth his bones with marrow.