I go mourning without sun; I stand up in the a.s.sembly and cry aloud; I am become a brother unto jackals, And a comrade unto ostriches.

CCLXI

My skin hath grown black upon me And my bones are scorched with heat; My harp is turned to mourning, And my bagpipe into the wail of the weeping.[246]

CCLXII

If I have walked with men of wickedness, Or if my feet have hastened to deceit, Let him weigh me in balances of justice, That G.o.d may know mine integrity!

CCLXIII

If my steps have swerved from the way, And mine heart followed in the wake of mine eyes, Let me now sow and another eat, Yea, let my garden be rooted out!

CCLXIV

If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, Or if I have lain in wait at my neighbour's door, Then let my wife turn the mill unto another And let others bow down upon her!

CCLXV

For adultery is a grievous crime, Yea, a crime to be punished by the judges: It is a fire that consumeth to utter destruction, And would root out all mine increase.

CCLXVI

Had I despised the right of my man-servant Or of my maidservant, when they contended with me, What could I do, when G.o.d rose up?

And when he visiteth, what could I answer him?

CCLXVII

For perdition from G.o.d was a terror to me, And for his highness' sake I could not do such things.

Did not he that made me in the womb, make him?[247]

And did he not fashion us in one belly?

CCLXVIII

Never have I withheld the poor from their desire, Nor caused the widow's eyes to fail; Nor have I eaten my morsel alone, Unless the fatherless had partaken thereof.

CCLXIX

If I saw one perish for lack of clothing, Or any of the poor devoid of covering; Then surely did his loins bless me, And he was warmed with the fleece of my sheep.

CCLXX

If I lifted up my hand against the fatherless, When I saw my backers in the gate,[248]

Then let my shoulder fall from its setting, And mine arm from its channel bone!

CCLXXI

I have never made gold my hope, Nor said to the fine gold: "Thou art my trust;"

Never did I rejoice that my wealth was great, And because mine hand had found much.

CCLXXII

Never did I gaze upon the sun, because it shone brightly, Nor upon the moon floating in glory, So that my heart was secretly enticed, And I wafted kisses to them, putting my hand to my mouth.[249]

CCLXXIII

Never did I rejoice at the ruin of my hater, Nor exult when misery found him out; Neither have I suffered my throat to sin, By wreaking a curse upon his soul.

CCLXXIV

Never had the guests of my tent to say: "Oh, that we had our fill of his meat!"

I suffered not the stranger to lodge out of doors, But I opened my gates to the traveller.

CCLXXV

I covered not my failings after the manner of men, By locking mine iniquity in my bosom, As if I feared the vast mult.i.tude, Or because the scorn of families[250] appalled me.

CCLXXVI

And I, forsooth, should keep silence, should not come forward!

Oh, that one would hear me!

Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me, And hear the indictment which my adversary hath written![251]

CCLXXVII

Surely I would hoist it upon my shoulder, And weave it as a crown unto myself; I would account to him for the number of my steps; As a prince would I draw near unto him.

CCLXXVIII

JAHVEH:

Who is this that darkeneth my counsel, With words devoid of knowledge?

Now gird up thy loins like a man, For I shall ask of thee, and do thou teach me!

CCLXXIX

When I laid the earth's foundation where wast thou?

Declare, if thou hast understanding!

Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest, Or who hath stretched the line upon it?

CCLx.x.x

Where are its sockets sunk down, Or who laid the corner-stone thereof?

When the morning stars exulted together, And all the sons of G.o.d shouted for joy.

CCLx.x.xI

Who shut in the sea with doors, When it brake forth as issuing from the womb?