The Syriac Peshiṭta Bible with English Translation: Job 9781463205546, 1463205546

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THE ANTIOCH BIBLE

The Syriac Peshiṭta Bible with English Translation

Job

Ṣurath Kthobh

Editors George A. Kiraz Andreas Juckel

The Syriac Peshiṭta Bible with English Translation

Job

Translated by

Jonathan Loopstra English Translation by

Text Prepared by

Text Prepared byGeorge A. Kiraz Jonathan Loopstra

George Anton Kiraz Joseph Bali Joseph Bali

9

34 2016

Gorgias Press LLC, 954 River Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA www.gorgiaspress.com Copyright © 2016 by Gorgias Press LLC

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise without the prior written permission of Gorgias Press LLC.

2016

‫ܘ‬

ISBN 978-1-4632-0554-6

Printed in the United States of America

9

For the many Christians of Syriac heritage,

who have been displaced from their homes in the Job-like trials of 2014–2015.

Jonathan Loopstra

TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents .................................................................................... v Foreword to the Edition ....................................................................... vii By George A. Kiraz Making of the Text ................................................................................. vii Orthographic Diversions from Mosul ................................................ viii Text Organization ..................................................................................... x Acknowledgements................................................................................... x

Abbreviations .......................................................................................... xi Introduction to the Translation .......................................................... xiii By Jonathan Loopstra The Book of Job in Syriac Christianity ............................................... xiii The Peshiṭta Text of Job ........................................................................ xv Translation Policy ................................................................................ xviii Translating the Poetic Features of Job................................................ xxi Some Noteworthy Features of the Peshiṭta to Job ......................... xxix Translator’s Acknowledgements ....................................................... xxxv

Appendix 1: Versification ............................................................... xxxvii Appendix 2: Variant Readings ........................................................ xxxix Appendix 3: Names ............................................................................. xliii Bibliography ........................................................................................... xlv Lexica and Dictionaries ......................................................................... xlv Texts and Commentaries ...................................................................... xlv Reference Works on Syriac Job .......................................................... xlvi General Interest .................................................................................... xlvi

Text and Translation ............................................................................... 1

V

FOREWORD TO THE EDITION BY GEORGE A. KIRAZ The primary objective of this edition is twofold: to provide a reliable text for scholars and students who are looking for a fully vocalized Syriac text, and to make available to religious communities, for whom this text is sacred, an English translation that can be used in various religious and cultural settings. As such, one had to navigate carefully between rigid scholarly principles and practical editorial choices. Making of the Text The current edition provides a West Syriac version of the 1887–91 Peshiṭta Mosul text. 1 While the Mosul text was prepared based on second millennium manuscripts, its text is substantially attested by manuscripts belonging to the first millennium. As ancient MSS are hardly vocalized, our text relies on the vocalization of the Mosul edition. In addition to full vocalization, our text is supplemented with complete Rukkākhā and Quššāyā pointing and other orthographic markings, keeping in mind the general orthographic principles adopted by Pusey and Gwilliam in their 1901 Tetraeuangelium. 2 Hence, while the consonantal tier is substantially ancient, the vocalism and orthographic tiers are quite late. As the Mosul edition did not fully mark Rukkākhā and Quššāyā, these points were added and a regular expression 3 was applied to the text to 1 Clemis Joseph David (ed.), The Syriac Bible According to the Mosul Edition, 3 volumes, with an introduction by Sebastian P. Brock (Piscataway, NJ, 2010), a reprint of the Mosul 1887–91 edition titled ‫ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܐܝܟ ܡܦܩܬܐ ܕܡܬܩܪܝܐ ܦܫܝܛܬܐ‬. 2 P. E. Pusey and G. H. Gwilliam, Tetraeuangelium Sanctum, the Fourfold Holy Gospel in the Peshitta Syriac Version with Critical Apparatus, with an introduction by Andreas Juckel (Piscataway, NJ, 2003), a reprint of the 1901 edition. 3 In computing, a regular expression provides a mechanism with which strings of text can be matched with a search criterion. In most notations, a bracket expression matches a single character inside that bracket (e.g., [ab] matches a single a or b). The exclamation mark denotes negation. Hence, the expression [bgdkpt][!RQ] (where R and Q represent the

VII

VIII

Foreword to the Edition

ensure that all bgādkpāt letters are marked. When the consonantal orthography, and in many cases the vocalic orthography, of East and West Syriac diverged, use was made of Lee’s 1823 edition 4 as well as linguistic resources including Audo, 5 Brockelmann, 6 Margoliouth, 7 and Smith. 8 As for Rukkākhā and Quššāyā pointing, analogies were made internally within other Mosul readings, and externally with the Pusey and Gwilliam New Testament text, making use of my Concordance 9 as a tool and the guidelines presented in my introduction to spirantization. 10 In some cases, Mašlmānūthā MSS 11 (hereinafter, Maš.) were consulted to determine P‛al vs. Pa‛‛el fricatization marking. The Mbaṭṭlānā and Marhṭānā were added systematically following current orthographic conventions, but the Mhaggyānā, Nāgudā, and Mṭappyānā, all ubiquitous in the Mosul text, were removed as they are alien to West Syriac orthography. 12 The text was collated directly against the Leiden edition. The results appear in Appendix 2. Orthographic Diversions from Mosul In terms of the consonantal tier, the present text differs orthographically from the Mosul text in two ways. Firstly, it intentionally replaces early Syriac orthographic conventions, most of which are also preserved in the East Syriac Mosul text, with West Syriac ones. 13 Secondly, as one of the Rukkākhā and Quššāyā points, respectively) will match a single bgādkpāt letter that is not followed by a Rukkākhā or Quššāyā point. When this search fails, all bgādkpāt letters have been pointed (regardless of accuracy of course). 4 S. Lee, Vetus et Novum Testamentum Syriace (London, 1823). 5 T. Audo, ‫( ܣܝܡܬܐ ܕܠܫܢܐ ܣܘܪܝܝܐ‬Mosul, 1897). 6 C. Brockelmann, Lexicon Syriacum (1928). 7 J. P. Smith (Mrs. Margoliouth), A Compendious Syriac Dictionary Founded upon the Thesaurus Syriacus (Oxford, 1903). 8 P. Smith, Thesaurus Syriacus (Oxford, 1818–1895). 9 G. A. Kiraz, A Computer Generated Concordance to the Syriac New Testament, 6 volumes (Leiden, 1993). 10 G. A. Kiraz, Introduction to Syriac Spirantization, Rukkâḵâ and Quššâyâ (Losser, 1995). 11 We used Vat. Syr. 152 and BL Add. 12,178. 12 On these symbols, see C. J. David, Grammaire de la Langue Araméenne, 2 volumes, (Mosul, 2nd ed., 1896) §62, §67; G. Kiraz, Tūrrāṣ Mamllā, A Grammar of the Syriac Language, Volume I Orthography (Gorgias Press, 2012) §§205–208. 13 On orthography, see L. Van Rompay, ‘Some Preliminary Remarks on the Origins of Classical Syriac as a Standard Language. The Syriac Version of Eusebius of Caesarea’s Ecclesiastical History’, in G. Goldenberg and S. Raz (eds.), Semitic and Cushitic Studies (Wiesbaden, 2004), 70–89; S. P. Brock, ‘Some Diachronic Features of Classical Syriac’, in M.

Foreword to the Edition

IX

objectives of the present edition is to provide a functional text for religious communities, it was necessary to be systematic and to provide the reader with a standardized orthography. As for the vocalic tier, the present text differs from the Mosul text in a number of ways. ܿ ܰ E. Syr. ◌ܼ was generally converted to the corresponding W. Syr. ◌ except in lexemes where the E. and W. Syriac orthographies vary. ܵ ܳ E. Syr. ◌ was generally converted to W. Syr. ◌ except when followed ܰ by ‫ ܘ‬in which case it became ◌. This also applies to nominal forms when followed by an enclitic demonstrative pronoun. ܶ E. Syr. ◌ܸ was generally converted to W. Syr. ◌ except in lexemes where the E. and W. orthographies vary. ܺ ܶ E. Syr. ◌ܹ was mapped to either ◌ or ◌ depending on the phonological, morphological or lexical context. ܺ ܿ E. Syr. ‫ ܼܝ‬was converted to W. Syr. ‫◌ܝ‬, while E. Syr. ‫ ܘ‬and ‫ ܼܘ‬were ܽ collapsed into W. Syr. ‫◌ܘ‬. The choice was made to place the vowel on the consonant preceding the matres lectionis. The Mbaṭṭlānā was applied in the present text following the Pusey and Gwilliam tradition but with further extensions following contemporary orthographic conventions. With regards to the vocalization of proper nouns, the BFBS was followed whenever possible. For cases not found in the BFBS, the vocalization was based first on the Maš. (primarily BL Add 12,178) and then on the Walton polyglot. Having said that, the received tradition was given prominence Only a few readings in Mosul were rejected, most of which seem to be typographical errors: Here M ܶ ܰ݁ ܶ ܳ 7:2 ‫ܦܥܠܗ‬ ‫ܦܥܠܗ‬ ܰ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ 12:23 om. by error ‫ܡܒܕܪ �ܗܘܢ ܫܛܚ �ܥ ̱ܡܡܐ‬ ݂ ‫ܘ‬ 14:12 17:7 18:5 20:15 20:22

ܽ ‫ܘܒܕ‬ ܶ ݁ ‫ܘܡ‬ ܰ ‫�ܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܳ� ݂ ܺܕܝܢ‬ ‫ܥܰܝܢܝ‬ ܰ ‫݁ܬ ݁ ܰܓܗ‬ ܺ ܺ ݂ ‫ܢܬ‬ ̇ ‫ܝܒ‬ ‫ܝܗ‬ ܶ ݂ܺ ‫݂ܬ ݂ܐܬܐ‬

‫ܳ� ݁ ܺܕܝܢ‬ ‫ܰ� ̈ܝܢܝ‬ ܳ ‫݁ܬ ݂ܶܓܗ‬ ܺ ܺ ݂ ‫ܢܬ‬ ‫ܝܒܝܗ‬ ܶ ݂݁ ܺ ‫݂ܬܐܬܐ‬

F. J. Baasten and W. Th. Van Peursen (eds.), Hamlet on the Hill. Semitic and Greek Studies Presented to Professor T. Muraoka on the Occasion of his Sixty-Fifth Birthday (Louvain, 2003), 95– 111.

Foreword to the Edition

X

30:3 31:10 34:32 36:4 37:6 38:32 39:13

ܳ ܳ ܶ ‫ܕ� ݂ܓܠ ݂ܬܐ‬ ݀ ݂ ‫ܶܘܐ ܳܦ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܬ‬ ܳ ‫ܳܕ ݁ ̈ܓܠܢ‬ ܺ ‫ܗܘܝ‬ ܳ݁ ܰ ܳ ‫ܥܓ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ‬ ܰ‫ܶܡ ݂ܬܪ‬ ܳ‫ܘܪܒܐ‬ ݂ ݂

ܳ ܳ ‫ܶܕܪ ܓܠܬܐ‬ ܳ ‫ܰܘ‬ ‫ܐܦܬ‬ ܰ ‫ܥܒܕܬ‬ ܳ ̈ܳ ݁ ܰ ‫ܕ ܓ ܠܢ‬ ̈ ‫ܗܘܝ‬ ܳ ‫ܥܰ ܶܓܠܬܐ‬ ܳ ݂ ‫ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܰܪ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ‬

Text Organization The division of the text into chapters and verses is a recent Western phenomenon. Early manuscripts divided the texts into chapters, called in Syriac ‫ܩܦ�ܘܢ‬, abbreviated ‫ܩܦ‬, or ‫ܨܚܚܐ‬, abbreviated ‫ܨܚ‬. Having said that, ancient manuscripts do not always follow a systematic approach in these chapter divisions. The present text follows the recent Western division of chapters, naming each chapter in Syriac ‫ܩܦ�ܘܢ‬. Ancient Syriac chapter divisions are given in the outer margin preceded by the abbreviation ‫ ܨܚ‬for ܳ (they correspond to Roman numerals in the English translation). ‫ܨܚ ܳܚܐ‬ These were provided by Adam Kane and Joshua Falconer. The numbers are based on MS Pocock 391 (Oxford). The present edition follows the Mosul versification. Ancient manuscripts vary in the application of punctuation marks. The punctuation presented here follows the Mosul punctuation faithfully. Acknowledgements

Andreas Juckel, my co-editor in the Ṣurath Kthob series, played a major role in setting the textual policies of the edition. I am personally grateful to my wife Christine and three children: Tabetha Gabriella, Sebastian Kenoro, and Lucian Nurono. It is hoped that the current edition will be a motivation for further texts and translations of the Syriac Biblical tradition, and will stimulate the use of the Peshiṭta in educational and religious settings.

ABBREVIATIONS ASV CE com. ed. e.g. fem. fol. i.e. impf ISC lit. LP M masc. MS MSS MT om. P part. pl. poss. pr. punct. sing. Syr. v. vol.

American Standard Version (1901) Common Era common editor, edition exempli gratia feminine folio id est imperfect Inner-Syriac Corruption literally Leiden Peshiṭta Mosul masculine manuscript manuscripts Masoretic Text omit Peshiṭta participle plural possibly prior, before punctuation singular Syriac verse volume

√

Root (see the appropriate dictionary listed in the Bibliography for citations such as √II)

1st 2nd 3rd

first person second person third person

XI

INTRODUCTION TO THE TRANSLATION BY JONATHAN LOOPSTRA The Book of Job in Syriac Christianity The Book of Job was read and interpreted from an early period in the history of Syriac-speaking Christianity. Already by the fourth century, Aphrahat and Ephrem were citing passages from this biblical book, integrating the story of Job’s ordeal with their own particular theological views. In addition, a number of prominent church leaders are said to have written commentaries specifically on the Book of Job; of these, several are still accessible, either complete or in citations by later authors. Some of the more well-known Syriac commentators on Job include Theodore bar Koni, Išoʿdād of Merv, Dionysius bar Ṣalibi, and Bar ʿEbroyo (see Bibliography). In addition, Syriac-speaking poets such as Narsai and Jacob of Sarug composed expository memre on Job, expounding on various theological motifs they found in Job’s trials. Greek-speaking writers exerted a particularly heavy influence on how Syriac Christian communities understood this biblical book after the fifth century. Of these writers, John Chrysostom, Theodore of Mopsuestia, and Severus of Antioch were especially influential in coloring or reinforcing interpretations of Job, whom Severus, in his Cathedral Homily 16, refers to as ‘the greatest of the ascetics’ (Graffin 1979, 196). In addition, some Greek commentaries on Job now survive only in Syriac translation (Van Rompay 2006). Given this interest in Job, it should be no surprise that interpreters sometimes clashed over what to make of such a challenging book. In fact, the Book of Job has the dubious distinction of having become one of the focal points of a serious interpretive rift in sixth-century Eastern Christianity. Indeed, the Fifth Ecumenical Council of 553 CE condemned a commentary on Job written by the earlier Greek Antiochene scholar Theodore of Mopsuestia (fifth century). From the other side of the confessional divide, the East-Syrian Council of 587 CE similarly singled out Theodore’s Job commentary, but as a key text from which some fellow East-Syrians had wrongly deviated. In the writings of this Eastern council, XIII

XIV

Introduction to the Translation

Henānā of Adiabene and others were accused of rejecting the proTheodoran view that the Book of Job was ‘full of words that are blasphemous and false’ (Chabot 1902, 187–188). Although Theodore’s commentary on Job has not survived, we are now able to piece together some of his ideas thanks to later East-Syrian writers, for whom Theodore was highly respected as the ‘Interpreter.’ The commentaries of Išoʿdād of Merv (ninth century) and Bar Koni (eighth century), as well as Theodore’s own commentaries on Psalms and Zechariah, make it clear that Theodore’s position was not necessarily as vitriolic as has at times been suggested. It was perhaps his break with established views of the authorship and composition of Job that caused the most controversy regarding this biblical book. One of the most common views among Syriac-speaking interpreters associated the figure of Job with Jobab, a ruler of Edom mentioned in Genesis 36:33. Tradition also came to associate Job as husband to Jacob’s daughter Dinah, thus making her the one who encouraged Job to ‘scorn your God and die’ (Job 2:9). But this association of Job with Jobab was not unique to Syriac Christianity. It may have arisen, in part, from an addition found at the end of the Septuagint version of Job: ‘Jobab was the fifth from Abraham’ (Job 42:17 LXX). Once this connection was established between Job and the name Jobab in the Pentateuch, it would have been a logical next step to infer that Moses (the traditional author of the Pentateuch) also wrote the Book of Job. The view that Moses authored Job was widely held, and this might also explain why so many Syriac manuscripts place Job immediately after Deuteronomy or Joshua (Brock 2013). Theodore and his followers, on the other hand, departed from this view. According to Išoʿdād, Theodore suggested that the story of Job originated as an Edomite oral tradition and was written down only after the return of the Jews from exile in Babylon (with the addition of Greek dramatic and poetic styles). It is likely for this reason that a number of EastSyrian biblical manuscripts place the Book of Job much later in the biblical canon, at the end of a grouping of books called the Beth Mawtbe (including Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Proverbs, Ben Sira, Qohelet, Ruth, Song, and Job). These differences in the placement of Job in Syriac manuscripts have, in turn, led to differences in how Job is placed in modern printed editions of the Syriac Bible. For example, Samuel Lee’s edition of 1823 situated Job immediately after the Pentateuch, an order found in many West-Syrian manuscripts (Brock 2013). This arrangement has been retained in the United Bible Societies edition of 1979. Several other published editions, such as the Paris and London Polyglots and the Mosul edition, place Job

Introduction to the Translation

XV

before the book of Psalms, emulating the order followed in modern Hebrew editions. The Peshiṭta Text of Job

The earliest Syriac translation of Job is part of the Peshiṭta, or ‘common,’ version of the Syriac Bible. Although the various books in this version were translated at different times and by different translators, scholars believe that the Peshiṭta of the Book of Job dates sometime before 200 CE. For the most part, it appears that the translators of Job worked from a Hebrew text and were not especially influenced by the Greek Septuagint (LXX) or other language versions, although there are a limited number of passages where the Peshiṭta and the LXX agree against the Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT). There are some hints in translations which deviate from the MT that the Syriac translators may have, at times, vocalized the Hebrew in a slightly different manner than did the Masoretes. Although the Peshiṭta of Job appears to have been originally translated, on the whole, from an underlying Hebrew text, numerous passages are remarkably dissimilar from the MT. These differences from the Hebrew and other ancient language versions give the Peshiṭta of Job a unique character. Because any introduction to this version would be incomplete without some discussion of these features, a very brief survey of some of this material has been included towards the end of this Introduction, under ‘Some Noteworthy Features of the Peshiṭta to Job.’ As might be expected, past scholars have tended to make these divergent readings the focus of their studies. In the late 1800s, two German scholars, Edvard Stenij and Armin Mandl, laid the framework for future textual studies of the Syriac translation of Job with a survey of Syriac manuscripts and a comparison of the Syriac text with the MT, LXX, and other versions. This earlier framework prepared the way for Eberhard Baumann, who, between the years 1898 and 1900, published over two hundred pages of detailed descriptions of variants between the Syriac and other versions of Job. Not only did Baumann examine the Peshiṭta of Job in painstaking detail, but he also went so far as to propose a number of emendations to the Hebrew text based on variants in the Syriac. In 1982, Gösta Rignell published an edition of Job for the Leiden Peshiṭta project based on manuscript 7a1, Codex Ambrosianus B.21 (sixth or seventh century). Likewise, just over a decade later, Rignell’s detailed working notes on the Peshiṭta of Job were brought together in a posthumous 1994 publication, offering a verse-by-verse translation alongside extensive commentary. Although Rignell’s translation was intentionally quite literal and contained many mistakes in English spelling

XVI

Introduction to the Translation

and grammar, this was a better alternative to the earlier English translation of George Lamsa, published in 1957. While Lamsa’s work has the distinction of being the first translation of the Peshiṭta of Job into English, it is, unfortunately, not always faithful to the Syriac text and contains many inaccuracies. Another milestone in modern studies of the Peshiṭta of Job occurred when Heidi Szpek offered a very detailed methodological study, titled Translation Technique in the Peshiṭta to Job (Szpek 1992). For Szpek, the many unique readings in Job provide a way to understand better how ancient translators went about their work. As part of this published dissertation, she brought together exhaustive appendices, listing variants and offering explanations of how these changes might have developed. The late Michael Weitzman also contributed to studies of the Peshiṭta of Job. In both an article published in 1997 and in his book The Syriac Version of the Old Testament (Weitzman 1999), he explored these differences between the Hebrew and Syriac in some depth. As did Rignell and Szpek before him, Weitzman found this version of Job to be of special interest, primarily because the difficulties with its translation from Hebrew to Syriac were, as he put it, ‘particularly acute’ (Weitzman 1997, 381). Most scholars who have studied the Peshiṭta of Job would likely agree with Weitzman on this point. It is possible, therefore, to characterize this Syriac version not so much as evidence for the earliest text of Job but as a record of how early translators attempted to grapple with a very difficult Hebrew text, full of hapex legomena and other challenges. To put it another way, the Peshiṭta does not necessarily help us recreate the earliest Hebrew text of Job, but it does give us a substantial idea of how Jewish or Christian translators in the second century CE struggled to render a challenging Hebrew text. The following short passage provides a fairly typical example of the types of variation the reader will encounter between the MT and the Peshiṭta of Job. Job 41:1 MT (ASV translation)/40:28 Syr. Mosul ‫תחלתו נכזבה‬-‫ הן‬Behold, the hope of him is in vain. ܳ ܳ ‫ ܳܗܐ ܰܫ‬Behold, your foot is unimpeded. ‫ܪ�ܐ ܶܪ ܓܠܟ‬

In an attempt to account for such a drastically different reading, Rignell hypothesized that the translator improperly understood ‫‘( תחלתו‬his hope’) as a form of ‫( חלל‬Hi.) (‘to begin’), which he or she translated as ‫ܫܘܪܝܐ‬ (‘beginning’) (Rignell 1994, 349). This ‫ ܫܘܪܝܐ‬appears to have been later changed to ‫ܫܪܝܐ‬, the passive participle of ‫‘( ܫܪܝ‬to loosen’). Similarly, the initial translator may have rendered ‫‘ כזב√( נכזבה‬to lie’) as �‫ܕܓ‬, from the

Introduction to the Translation

XVII

Syriac root ‫‘( ܕܓܠ‬deceive’). The dālaṯ, then, may have been mistaken easily for a rīš, resulting in the awkward translation ‫‘( ܪܓܠܟ‬your foot’). The result of this series of translations is the Peshiṭta reading ‘Your foot is unimpeded,’ a remarkably different text than one finds in the original Hebrew. Based on this and many similar reconstructions, both Rignell and Weitzman hypothesized that the Syriac translation of Job resulted from what was at least a two-step process. Rignell believed that an initial translator added glosses in Syriac directly from the Hebrew text (perhaps into the margins of the manuscript), while a later scribe went through and created a Syriac translation from these glosses without consulting the Hebrew (Rignell 1994, 5, 364–374). Though Weitzman agreed with Rignell that the translation must have taken place in multiple steps, he instead suggested what he called a ‘scratch pad theory.’ In this model, the translator wrote out a rough translation on a separate scratch pad, then rearranged his Syriac text until it made sense to him in the final translation (Weitzman 1997, 387). Although both scholars disagree about the exact number of translators involved and their methods, both agree that the final translator arranged the text without checking it against the Hebrew. This multi-step process, together with a lack of good proofreading, could help explain why there are so many divergences from the Hebrew in the Peshiṭta of Job. As in the example above, the majority of these differences between the Peshiṭta of Job and the MT may be the result of simple omissions or the confusion of homographs, vowels, and consonants. For other passages, it appears that the translator simply did not understand the Hebrew text he or she was supposed to be translating. On occasion, the ideological or theological views of the translators may have resulted in distinctive translations; for instance, when the translators appear to have been influenced by contemporary Jewish exegetical and Targumic traditions (Wechsler 2002). Though Jews may have been involved in the earliest translation of Job, some have speculated that the emphasis on resurrection and life after death found in several passages (e.g., Job 7:7 and Job 30:23) bear the marks of strong Christian influence in the final redaction (see ‘Noteworthy Features of the Peshiṭta to Job’ below). It is also worth noting that some of the choices for vocabulary in the Peshiṭta of Job took on distinctive theological meanings in Syriac-speaking Christianity, possibly influencing how Syriac Christians would have read this book. For instance, forms of the Syriac term ‫‘( ܐܓܢ‬protect’ or ‘cover,’ √‫ )ܓܢܢ‬are used three times in the Peshiṭta of Job to describe Job’s relationship with God before the trials began (Job 1:10; 3:23; 29:4). This term, however, became closely linked with the Syriac liturgical tradition

XVIII

Introduction to the Translation

through texts such as Luke 1:35 and John 1:14 (Brock 1994), and it is possible that later Christians would have read these words in Job through this more theological lens. Similarly, in passages such as Job 4:18 (ASV: ‘his angels he chargeth with folly [‫)’]תּ ֳה ָ ֽלה‬ ָ and Job 12:19 (ASV: ‘He leadeth priests away stripped [‫)’]שׁוֹל֑ל‬ ָ the Syriac translators rendered the words ‘folly’ and ‘stripped’ using the root ‫‘( ܬܡܗ‬wonder’), resulting in drastically different readings from the Hebrew. Yet, for later commentators of Syriac heritage, this change to ‫ ܬܡܗ‬connected nicely with a trend of antispeculative theology found from Ephrem onwards — a ‘theology of wonder.’ In regards to the Peshiṭta of Job 12:19 (‘He leads priests away in wonder’), Dionysius bar Ṣalibi comments, ‘that is, that they should wonder at His miracles without scrutinizing his greatness’ (Jacobsen 1929, 82). Translation Policy

Given what has just been said about the character of the Peshiṭta of Job, it is certainly tempting to look at this unique version chiefly in light of how so many of these readings differ from the MT and other ancient language versions. Indeed, as has been mentioned, past scholarship has tended to focus overwhelmingly on these distinctive readings. Yet, it is worth keeping in mind that the Peshiṭta of Job has served as scripture in the Syriacspeaking churches for over seventeen hundred years. This text, in fact, appears to have been stabilized prior to the fifth-century split between the East- and West-Syrian churches, and there is no indication that this version was systematically corrected later in its history. For some, this lack of emendation can be puzzling, especially for passages where the Syriac text reads the exact opposite of the MT or the LXX and thus seems out of place (e.g., Job 4:16; see ‘Some Noteworthy Features of the Peshiṭta to Job’ below). Although later interpreters such as the East-Syrian Išoʿdād of Merv and the West-Syrian Dionysius bar Ṣalibi were often aware that passages in the Syriac text of Job differed from the Greek, they made no serious attempts to revise this traditional Peshiṭta version. Dionysius, for example, used both the Peshiṭta and the Syro-Hexapla in his commentary on Job without necessarily attempting to reconcile the often diverging readings (Jacobsen 1929). Over time, theological and historical interpretations derived from the Peshiṭta of Job became part of the broad Syriac heritage of biblical interpretation. Passages from this version of Job eventually came to inform and edify Syriac-speaking communities — even when these Syriac passages differed profoundly from other language versions. In keeping with the policies of this series, the Peshiṭta of Job has been approached here as a work of ancient literature, as scripture read and

Introduction to the Translation

XIX

studied by Syriac-speaking Christians for well over a millennium and a half. As a result, every attempt has been made to provide a readable translation from the Syriac into contemporary American English in a way that is faithful to the Peshiṭta and to the traditions of reading and interpretation that have developed around this text. It is hoped that this translation will serve readers interested in understanding more about this unique, ancient Syriac version of Job, whether for study, reflection, or use in liturgy. In order to present an intelligible English translation, the following guidelines have been kept.

Dynamic Equivalency vs. Formal Equivalency. When possible, this volume has followed a dynamically equivalent translation policy; that is to say, in order to make the Syriac understandable, the translator has aimed for an English text that is roughly equivalent to the meaning of the original. At times, this has meant taking some liberties in order to avoid an overly-formal translation that would make little sense to English speakers. This more dynamic translation policy differs from formal equivalency in that idiomatic expressions in Syriac are provided with an approximate English rendition whenever possible. In Job 8:20, for example, ܳ the literal rendering ‘And He does not ܺ ܳ grasp by the hand of (–‫ )ܘ� ܐ ܷܚܕ ܒܐܝܕ ܐ ܕ‬evildoers’ can instead be translated more dynamically as ‘He does not support evildoers.’ While this particular example is fairly straightforward, dynamic translations can, at times, require the translator to provide a greater level of interpretation for expressions that are not so clear. For example, in Job 17:3, the vague Syriac idiomatic ܶ expression ‘greet my hand’ (‫ ) ܱܡܫܠܡ ܐܝܺܕܝ‬has been rendered with a more dynamic translation ‘is my guarantor,’ where the underlying context was assumed to involve legal relationships between individuals. When possible, these more dynamic translations were guided by either modern scholarship or the writings of Syriac-speaking commentators from within the tradition. As the above examples show, dynamic renderings take as their primary sense unit the clause or phrase rather than individual words or entire paragraphs. Although a dynamic reading is generally preferred, at times a more formal translation has been retained. In particular, formal translations have been favored when it was felt that a dynamic translation would either diminish the poetic features of Job or risk misinterpreting a difficult or somewhat unintelligible Syriac text. For example, a curious translation from the Hebrew in Job 39:15 reads ‘and she [the ostrich] is forgotten because she has the feet of a bird.’ This passage has been translated literally, lest a dynamic reading be unfaithful to this rather vague text.

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Introduction to the Translation

Footnotes. Footnotes have been included in order to provide insights into features of the Syriac text and to help the reader better follow the translation. These footnotes have been added with the following five categories in mind:

a. When a literal rendering would have led to an untenable English translation; e.g., Job 9:32, where the dynamic translation ‘I can answer Him’ has been supplemented with a footnote providing the more literal rendering ܳ ‫) ܷܐ ܷܬܠ ܷܠܗ ܷܦ‬. ‘I would give Him word’ (‫ܬܓ ܳܡܐ‬

b. When an alternative translation is equally acceptable; e.g., Job 9:33, where ܳ ‫ ܰܡ‬can be translated in the text as ‘counselor’ or as the Syriac word ‫ܟܣ ܳܢܐ‬ ‘admonisher.’ c. When it was considered helpful to clarify possible meanings for one of the many allusions to the natural world in Job, whether an obscure plant, ܳ animal, or astronomical body; e.g., Job 6:6, where ‫ܚܠܡܬܐ‬ ܱ is used for ܳ theܰ ܰ ܳ ‘thistle’ or ‘anchusa plant’; Job 39:9, ‫ ܪܝܡܐ‬for ‘wild ox’; or Job 38:32, ‫ܥܓܠܬܐ‬ for the constellation ‘Ursa Minor.’ d. When scriptural citations, either to other passages in Job or to other biblical books, might help the reader follow along with the extensive monologues in the text.

e. When differing punctuation between the Mosul edition and the Leiden Peshiṭta edition (LP) or other manuscripts (MSS) might lead to a markedly different translation. (See below under ‘Punctuation’.)

Contextual Sensitivity and Consistency. As in English, the meaning of Syriac words often varies depending on the context. Sometimes, words that are quite common in Syriac have been translated in a more specific manner as ܳ ‫ ) ܱܡ‬has been context dictates. In Job 7:13, for example, the word ‘bed’ (‫ܫܟܒܐ‬ translated more specifically as ‘sickbed,’ reflecting the appropriate context of the passage ‘the agony of my sickbed.’ Similarly, in Job 28:4, the word ܳ ‫ܬܘܪܥܬܐ‬ ܾ , ‘hole’ or ‘fissure,’ has been translated as ‘mine shaft,’ given the mining imagery in verses 1–4. At other times, a single Syriac word can have two entirely different meanings in English, requiring the translator to make a decision about how to interpret the passage based on context. A repeated example of this in Job is the Syriac word ‫ܪܘ ܳܚܐ‬ ܾ , which can mean either ‘wind’ ܳ or ‘spirit.’ In Job 1:19, for example, ‫ܪܘܚܐ‬ ܾ is best interpreted as ‘wind’: ‘a strong wind came from … the desert.’ Yet, in Job 7:7, ‘spirit’ is the best translation: ‘Recall that the spirit lives.’ In other passages, however, the proper English rendition is not so clear; so, in Job 32:18, ‘a spirit/wind (‫ܪܘ ܳܚܐ‬ ܾ ) has poured forth into my belly.’

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XXI

Overall, this principle of contextual sensitivity has meant that Syriac words are not simply translated in a wooden manner but vary depending on context. For example, words deriving from the root √‫‘( ܬܡܗ‬wonder’) are variously translated throughout Job as ‘amazed’ (Job 21:5), ‘astonishment’ (Job 4:18), ‘dumbfounded’ (Job 12:17, 19), etc., in order to best capture the appropriate context of the passage. Similarly, verbs take varying translations depending on both binyan and context. For example, words from the root √‫ ܛܒܥ‬can mean ‘to plunge’ (Job 9:31) but also ‘to destroy’ (Job 10:8). Translating the Poetic Features of Job

This translation aims to render Job in a way that reflects its genre as a book of ancient poetry. Of course, this means that additional considerations have been taken into account in this poetic rendition that may differ from the concerns of translators working with an exclusively narrative text.

Imagery. As poetry, the Peshiṭta of Job includes vibrant imagery, including themes of creation, animal and plant life, geology, economics, warfare, societal relationships, and the legal courts. As a result, Syriac words have been translated, when possible, with the suitable poetic metaphor or simile in mind. At times, the basic lexical meaning of a Syriac term may be stretched in the translation to accommodate this poetic imagery with appropriate English vocabulary. Dynamic translations of the judicial imagery in Job, for example, are meant to help the reader understand these court scenes using modern legal terms. Some of these translations include ‘put me on the stand’ (Job 16:8), ‘plead a case’ (Job 13:8), ‘counselors’ (Job 19:19), ‘judge’ (Job 9:15), ‘convict’ (Job 13:10), ‘magistrate’ (Job 31:37), and ‘litigates’ (Job 13:19).

Polysyndeton. In ancient literature, polysyndeton (πολυσύνδετον) was a rhetorical device by which the author places one or more conjunctions in close succession. A modern translator, therefore, is faced with a number of choices about how to render the oft-repeated waw (‫)ܘ‬, usually translated as ‘and.’ The waw conjunction can be translated with many different renderings, such as ‘for,’ ‘yet,’ ‘but,’ ‘or,’ and ‘nor’; e.g., Job 27:6, ‘For (‫ )ܘ‬I shall persevere in my righteousness;’ Job 30:13, ‘Yet (‫ )ܘ‬they have tangled up my paths in vain’; Job 14:16, ‘You will neither count nor (� ‫ )ܘ‬keep track of my sins.’ Frequently, the waw has been omitted when a direct translation would be awkward in English, usually when the waw begins a sentence. This translation, however, has retained many of the poetic features of polysyndeton in order to highlight some of these features in the original text. In particular, this has meant translating the waw as ‘and’ with much

Introduction to the Translation

XXII

more frequency than would be acceptable if one were translating a narrative text into good English prose. Job 4:6 As for your fear, it is your rebuke, and your hope, and the integrity of your way. Job 11:17–19 So from midday, shame shall arise, and the dark haze shall be as the morning; and you shall be assured that there is hope, and you shall sleep and be at rest; and no one shall waken you.

In brief, because the repetition of the waw in polysyndeton fulfilled an important audible and connective function in ancient poetry, as it does in modern poetry, it was felt that retaining some of these features would help the reader better grasp the poetic nuances of the original Syriac text.

The Interjection ‫ ܳܗܐ‬. Poetic context also determined how the interjection ‫ ܳܗܐ‬was translated. This Syriac interjection can be rendered in a number of different ways (‘look,’ ‘see,’ ‘witness,’ ‘lo,’ etc.). It can also be left untranslated. Because a significant part of the Book of Job consists of a series of monologues, this translation has rendered the ‫ ܳܗܐ‬in a way that hopefully gives each character a distinctive voice. This means, for example, that in the monologues of the character Job, the ‫ ܳܗܐ‬has usually been rendered as ‘surely.’ For example, Job 6:26–27 reads as follows: 26 27

Surely (‫) ܳܗܐ‬, you yet think of ways to correct words, and you yet misunderstand the spirit of my word. Surely (‫) ܳܗܐ‬, you are behaving arrogantly against the orphan, and you are causing your friend to despair.

Likewise, in Eliphaz’s monologues, the distinguishing translation of ‫ ܳܗܐ‬is ‘look,’ while it is rendered ‘understand’ in Bildad’s speeches and ‘observe’ in Zophar’s declamations. The ‫ ܳܗܐ‬in God’s speeches in Job 1–2 and 38–42 is almost always translated with the older English word ‘behold.’ It was felt that ‘behold,’ although slightly archaic, best captures the gravity of the divine drama being played out in the heavenly court.

Inclusive Language. Inclusive language has been used consistently in the ܳ ‫‘( ܰܒ‬a person’), in translation of ‫‘( ܳܐܢܫ‬someone’), ‫‘( ܳܐܢ ܳܫܝ‬human’), or ‫ܪܢ ܳܫܐ‬ ܳ ܰ keeping with the policy of this series. For ‫ܓܒܪ ܐ‬, however, the term ‘man’ (as in ‘male’) has usually been retained; e.g., Job 10:5, ‘Or are Your days as ܳ ܰ ) years?’ the days of a human being (‫ ?) ܳܐܢ ܳܫܐ‬Or are Your years as a man’s (‫ܓܒܪ ܐ‬

Introduction to the Translation

XXIII

The Syriac term ‫ ܒܪ‬has often been translated as ‘child’ or ‘offspring’ instead ̈ has been translated as of literally ‘son.’ Likewise, in Job 1:6, ‫ܒܢܝ �ܘܗܝܡ‬ ‘children of Elohim.’ When used for animal young, the term has been translated according to the standard word used for the young of that ̈ ) of the lioness have been scattered’; Job species; e.g., Job 4:11, ‘the cubs (‫ܒܢܝ‬ ̈ ̈ ) are reared and are 5:7, ‘a bird’s chicks (‫ ;’)ܒܢܝ‬Job 39:4, ‘their calves (‫ܒܢܝ‬ ̈ ) which are not her own.’ weaned’; Job 39:16, ‘[the ostrich] raises chicks (‫ܒܢܝ‬ On the other hand, in the interest of succinctness and clarity, the English translation of the third-person masculine ‘he’ or ‘him’ has been regularly preferred to the more inclusive ‘he or she’ or ‘himself or herself.’ Although these latter terms are more inclusive, the repeated use of these expressions would not necessarily be in keeping with good English style.

Explicit or Implicit Subjects and Objects. In order to provide an understandable translation, subjects or objects that are implicit in the Syriac are often made explicit in the English translation. This sometimes means that additional words or phrases are required in English in order to properly render the ܳ ), whereas a Syriac; e.g., Job 6:17, ‘when the sun shines upon them’ (‫ܕܕ ܰܢܚ ܒܗܘܢ‬ literal translation would read ‘when it rises upon them.’ When needed, additional words have been used to clarify an existing Syriac text, particularly for demonstrative pronouns; e.g., Job 12:9, ‘has made all these ܶ ‫) ܳܗ‬.’ things (‫�ܝܢ‬ In general, this translation has not followed the practice of placing these additional words in parentheses or italics in the text, as it was felt that this practice would detract from the translation. Instead, footnotes have been provided when thought necessary to distinguish words or phrases that have no equivalent in the Syriac text. So, given the examples above, an explanatory footnote has been added for the addition in Job 6:17 but not for Job 12:9. Words in Syriac have been omitted in translation when they are redundant or take away from a smooth English rendering. For instance, in ܳ ‫‘( ܰܢ‬soul’) has been left untranslated when some passages the Syriac word ‫ܦܫܐ‬ it can be better translated as ‘-self’ (e.g., Job 32:2). In other passages, however, the translation ‘soul’ has been retained, usually when it would allow the reader to better grasp the nuances of the Syriac imagery; e.g., Job 7:15, ‘You scrutinized my soul even from annihilation, and my bones from death.’ Quite often in Job, the antecedent cannot be determined by the immediate context. In particular, the lack of gender or number distinctions in English can easily confuse the situation for the reader. For this reason, the translator has sought to clarify the subject or object when possible,

XXIV

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either by adding footnotes or by substituting text for the ambiguous pronouns. Job 4:5: For now it fn has come upon you, and you are exhausted! It has touched you, and you are troubled.

In the above example, a footnote lists possible antecedents for ‘it’ (in this case, ‘fear’). For those passages where adding another pronoun would make the English translation less clear, the pronoun has been removed and substituted with an additional, clarifying word. E.g., Job 1:5b reads, ‘Job summoned and sanctified his children,’ instead of the more literal ‘Job summoned and sanctified them (‫) ܷܐܢܘܢ‬.’ Whenever such a substitution has taken place, a footnote has been added along with a brief comment. It has not always been practical to add footnotes or substitute words for the large number of pronouns in the extended monologues in the Book of Job. In order to help remedy this situation, pronouns or suffixes with God as the referent have been capitalized (‘He,’ ‘You,’ ‘Me,’ ‘Mine’). Although this practice may seem archaic, a distinction between ‘He’ (God) and ‘he’ (Job or humanity) allows the reader to follow the speeches in Job with much less difficulty. At times, the second-person plural has been translated as ‘you all’ or ‘all of you’ for clarification, particularly when Job or Elihu is addressing the three friends. Yet, in an attempt to keep the translation succinct and clear, ‘you all’ has only been added at the very beginning or the very end of a sequence of second-person plural pronouns. Footnotes then clarify where the plurals ‘you’ or ‘your’ occur elsewhere in the chapter. Furthermore, when a text is especially ambiguous, the Syriac commentators Išoʿdād of Merv (East Syrian, ninth century) or Bar ʿEbroyo (West Syrian, thirteenth century) have been consulted in order to help readers better understand how native Syriac speakers might have read the passage (although their interpretations have not always been adopted). For instance, there is an ambiguity in Job 16:11–12a about whether the secondperson singular pronoun on the second line refers to ‘a wicked angel’ or ‘God.’ Yet, He has delivered me over to a wicked angel, and He fn has delivered me into the hand of the wicked one. I was at ease, but He shook me up; He grabbed my neck …

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XXV

The footnote ‘He’ on the second line provides additional information on how Išoʿdād and Bar ʿEbroyo understood the identity of the subject in the passage.

Definiteness and indefiniteness. Because Syriac does not include a definite article, context often determines whether one should translate with an ‘a’ or ‘the’; ܳ e.g., Job 3:23, ‘To a man (‫ ) ܰܓܒܪ ܐ‬whose way is hidden’.

Singular/Plural. Sometimes good English convention requires that the number in Syriac be changed in the translation; e.g., Job 9:27, ‘With my bitterness, I have forgotten my complaints.’ A literal translation would read ܰܳ ‘with my bitternesses (‫)ܡܪ �ܝ‬.’ These changes have been clarified in the footnotes. Hendiadys. Quite often the paratactic coordination between clauses in Syriac has been changed to a more hypotactic rendering in order to achieve a colloquial English translation. Throughout Job, for example, the phrase ‘Job ܳ ),’ is more simply rendered as ‘Job said’ answered and said (‫ܥܢܐ ܐܝܘܒ ܘ ܷܐ ܰܡܪ‬ (e.g., Job 3:2).

Infinitive absolute. Another feature in Syriac, the verbal noun known as the infinitive absolute, has been translated as best fits the context, with no attempt to provide a literal translation in the footnotes; e.g., Job 37:2, ‘Hear ܰ ‫ܫܡܥܘ ܷܡ‬ ܰ )’. carefully (‫ܫܡܥ‬

Some untranslatable features. In good Syriac syntax, the lāmaḏ preposition is often combined with a pronominal suffix. When this dativus ethicus occurs, the lāmaḏ has been simply omitted from the English translation. For example, Job 32:4, ‘[Elihu reproved] to him, to Job’ (‫) ܷܠܗ �ܝܘܒ‬, has been translated simply as ‘[Elihu reproved] Job.’ In addition, Syriac often uses anticipatory and resumptive pronominal suffixes in a way that is uncommon in English. For example, Job 1:13, ‘and his daughters, of Job’ ̈ܳ (‫ܬܗ ܕܐܝܘܒ‬ ܷ ‫)ܘܒܢ‬, is rendered ‘and Job’s daughters.’ In a similar way, the asyndetic relative clause in Job 3:3 has been translated as ‘the day … on ܳ ܰ ܰ which I was born’ (‫ܠܕܬ ܶܒܗ‬ ܷ ‫)ܝܘܡܐ ܕ ܷܐܬܝ‬, whereas a more literal translation would read ‘the day that I was born in it.’ Syriac also uses a genitive construction to modify the quality of the accompanying noun. These attributive genitives will use either the construct form or the particle -‫ܕ‬ followed by a nominal genitive.

Possession. The word order of possessive constructions has often been changed to reflect the English possessive (-’s). For example, Job 4:10, ‘the ܽ ) has been translated as ‘the lion’s cub.’ This ܳ ܱ‫ܓܘ ܳܪ�ܐ ܕܐ‬ cub of the lion’ (‫ܪ�ܐ‬

XXVI

Introduction to the Translation

translation of the possessive has not been woodenly retained but varies depending on context or poetic considerations. Job 33:4 ܳܰ The spirit of God (‫ܪܘ ܷܚܗ ܕܐܠ ܳܗܐ‬ ܾ ܰ ) has awakened me, ܳ ܳ and the breath of God (‫ܡܬܗ ܕܐܠܗܐ‬ ܷ ‫ ) ܰܘ ܰܢܫ‬has made me alive.

These possessives could have just as well been translated as ‘God’s spirit … God’s breath,’ but the original Syriac word order was retained for stylistic reasons. Moreover, where repeated use of the particle dālaṯ- (-‫ )ܕ‬would make for an awkward translation, the wording has been changed to provide a more lucid reading in English. For ܰexample, Job 12:24, ‘the heart of his ܳ ‫ܝܫܘܗܝ ܕܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܕܐ‬ ܰ �‫) ܷܠ ܳܒܐ ܺܕ‬, has been more leaders of the people of the earth’ (‫ܪܥܐ‬ simply translated as ‘the hearts of the world’s leaders.’

Questions. The Syriac translators rarely took into account the interrogative marker (‫ה‬-) present in the Hebrew. In fact, this interrogative was often translated with ‫ ܳܗܐ‬, ‘behold.’ As a result, clauses that are understood as questions in the MT can be read quite naturally as declarative statements in the Syriac, a situation that occurs quite frequently in the Peshiṭta of Job. Context, of course, is the chief guide in determining whether these statements should be translated as rhetorical questions. In addition to context, the translator has also taken into account the or ) and zawgā ʿelāyā ( ), reading dots found in Syriac mšalānā ( biblical manuscripts. These two specific accent marks were used by Syriac scribes to indicate the presence of questions in the Peshiṭta text. While not fail proof, these dots can be helpful in determining how scribes within the Syriac tradition would have read these clauses. The two manuscripts consulted for these accent marks are the West-Syrian manuscript 7a1 (Codex Ambrosianus) and 9m1 (BL Add. MS 12138), the only surviving manuscript of the so-called East-Syrian ‘Masora’. Take, for instance, Job 14:18–19 (below). These clauses could easily be read as declarative statements, beginning with verse 18a: ‘In truth, a strong mountain can fall down.’ The context, however, seems to indicate that this passage could also be read as a series of questions, and this is confirmed by the presence, in verses 18–19, of a zawgā ʿelāyā (in 7a1, fol. 63v) and a mšalānā (in 9m1, fol. 167r). Thus, Job 14:18–19 was translated accordingly: In truth, does a strong mountain fall down? Or can a boulder be shaken from its place? Does a stone erode water? Or fine dust, the soil of the ground?

Introduction to the Translation

XXVII

Other passages, in contrast, have not been translated as rhetorical questions where either context or the absence of these accents seem to indicate that declarative statements were preferred (e.g., Job 5:9–10).

Punctuation. The basis for the present translation of the Peshiṭta of Job is the edition of the Syriac Bible published by the Dominicans in Mosul between 1887 and 1891. For the sake of consistency, the punctuation in this Mosul edition has been preferred where it diverges from the punctuation in the Leiden edition (based largely on manuscript 7a1) or the East-Syrian ‘Masora’ manuscript 9m1. For passages where an alternative punctuation might substantially alter the English translation, differences have been noted in the footnotes. Traditionally, the pāsūqā accent ( . ) has been used to indicate a pause in the reading, though it does not necessarily indicate as strong a stop as the period in English. For this reason, pāsūqā accents in the Mosul edition do not always mark the end of the sentence in the translation. In order to ensure a smooth English rendition, not every pāsūqā in the Mosul edition has been integrated into the translation as a full or partial stop. Rather, these marks have been used as guides to help the translator better understand how the editors of the Mosul edition would have distinguished sense units within the Syriac text. These pāsūqā marks are worth noting also because punctuation in the Peshiṭta of Job diverges in many passages from the divisions in the MT. For example, in the excerpt from Job 9:21 below, the Syriac translator clearly included ‫‘( ܢܦܫܝ‬my soul/self’) in the final clause (after the pāsūqā), leading to a slightly different translation than can be found in most English renditions from the Hebrew. Job 9:21 ‫ תם־אני לא־אדע נפשי אמאס חיי׃‬I am perfect; I regard not myself; I despise my life. (ASV) ܳ.‫ ܴܘ� ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ܐܢܐ‬:‫ܱܬܡ ܻܝܡ ܳܐܢܐ‬ I am blameless, and yet I do not comprehend; ̈.‫ܰܢܦܫܝ ܐܱܣܠܝܬ ܰܚ ܰܝܝ‬ I loathe my life!

This different punctuation is shared by 7a1 and 9m1. In other passages, however, the punctuation in the Mosul edition diverges from punctuation in 7a1 or in 9m1. Sometimes, for example, the Mosul edition has divided a verse where no pāsūqā appears in other Syriac texts.

XXVIII

Introduction to the Translation

Job 3:11–12 Mosul:

ܳ ‫ܛܢܐ‬ ܳ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܒ‬ :‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܢܦ ܷܩܬ‬ ܼ ܿ ܳ .‫ܣ ܷܦܬ ܕܝܷܢ‬ ܶ ‫ܒܘ‬ ܳ ܳ �ܰ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ‬ .‫�ܟܐ‬ ܾ ‫ܒܝܢܝ‬

And why did I emerge from a pregnancy? I then would have perished! Why did knees rear me?

7a1 (fol. 62r) and 9m1 (fol. 165v): And why did I emerge from a pregnancy? For though having perished, why did knees rear me?

ܳ ‫ܛܢܐ‬ ܳ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܒ‬ .‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܢܦ ܷܩܬ‬ ܼ ܶ ‫ܒܘ‬ ܳ ‫ܳܣ ܿ ܷܦܬ ܕܝܷܢ‬ ܳ �ܰ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ‬ .‫�ܟܐ‬ ܾ ‫ܒܝܢܝ‬

But later, in Job 10:18, this same clause (‫ܦܬ ܕܝܢ‬ ܷ ‫ ) ܳܣ‬reappears in the Mosul edition, where it does begin a new sentence (as was true in manuscripts 7a1 and 9m1 for Job 3:11–12 above). The Mosul edition can also vary from other Syriac texts in how clauses are divided within a single verse. When this variation occurs, the Mosul edition has been followed. In Job 31:35, for example, the Mosul edition places a pāsūqā after ‫[‘( ܠܝ‬to] me’) and also after ‫‘( ܢܥܢܝܢܝ‬he will answer me’), though other texts place this break before ‫ ܢܥܢܝܢܝ‬and have no break after ‫ܠܝ‬. These simple changes can lead to different translations of the Mosul text and earlier manuscripts. Mosul:

ܳ ‫ܿܡܢ ܕܝܢ ܝܰܗܒ ܿܡܢ‬ .‫ܕܫ ܿ ܱܡܥ ܻܠܝ‬ ܰ ܰ .‫ ܢܶܥܢܶܝܢܝ‬:‫ܐܺܝܬܘܗܝ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‬

Would that He had provided someone who could hear me! If God exists, He will answer me.

7a1 (fol. 65v) and 9m1 (fol. 170r): Would that He had provided someone who could hear me if one exists! May God answer me …

ܳ ‫ܿܡܢ ܕܝܢ ܝܰܗܒ ܿܡܢ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܿ ܱܡ ܰܥ ܻܠܝ‬ ܺ .‫ܷܐܢ ܐܝܬܘܗܝ‬ ܰ ‫ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܢܶܥܢܶܝܢܝ‬

Line breaks. Many modern English translations of Job include line breaks that help the reader distinguish poetic clauses. In translations from the MT, these line breaks are often based, in part, on the traditional sentence punctuation used by the Hebrew Masoretes, reflecting how ancient scribes understood some of the poetic features of the text. Unfortunately, there are no line breaks in the printed Mosul edition. Although the Syriac text in this edition works well as the basis for developing an English translation, this printed text is late and does not contain the variety of punctuation marks present in earlier manuscripts. As

Introduction to the Translation

XXIX

a result, the pāsūqā marks (mentioned above) in the Mosul edition do not necessarily help us recreate how each poetic clause in Job might have been read in earlier traditions. In order to reconstruct how earlier Syriac scribes may have distinguished various poetic clauses in Job, line breaks in this translation have been based on the pāsūqā accent marks in manuscript Codex Ambrosianus (7a1), an older, West-Syrian witness to the Syriac punctuation in Job. The second line of each verse has been indented at the pāsūqā mark in 7a1, as the following example from Job 3:4 shows:

ܶ ܷ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܗܘ ܢ‬ ܳ ܰ‫ܝ‬ .‫ܗܘܐ ܰ ܶܚܫܘܟ‬ ܳ .‫ܴܘ� ܢܶܬܒܥܝܘܗܝ ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܼܡܢ ܠܥܠ‬ ܳ ‫ܘ� ܢ ܰܕܢܚ ܥܠܰܘܗܝ ܢܘ‬ .‫ܗܪ ܐ‬ ܾ ܷ ܴ

May that day be darkness, and may God not take account of it from above, and may light not shine upon it!

At times this has meant starting a new line where the Mosul edition has a zāwgā ( : ) and not a pāsūqā ( . ). But these line breaks generally have no effect on the overall translation, which is based on the Mosul text. Of course, the modern verse divisions in the Mosul edition do not conform perfectly to older Syriac divisions of the text. As a result, each new verse in the translation begins flush at the left margin, regardless of where the pāsūqā mark appears in 7a1. Also, in a limited number of passages, a line break was included when the text was too long on a line, even when there was no pāsūqā in the manuscript. Hebrew Translations. For the sake of consistency, Hebrew translations into English in the Introduction have also been taken from the ASV translation. Some Noteworthy Features of the Peshiṭta to Job

The following pages highlight several noteworthy features of the Peshiṭta text of Job and provide a small sampling of passages. Each of these features could be elaborated upon in more depth, and the reader is encouraged to consult the footnotes for additional details.

Singular / Plural. Often, a noun that is plural in the MT is singular in the Peshiṭta, or vice versa. E.g., Job 28:23: MT ‫‘( דרכה‬the way thereof’), Peshiṭta ̇ ‫ܐܘ�ܚܬܗ‬ (‘her ways’). According to Szpek (1994, 64–65), there are 150 examples of Hebrew singular to Syriac plural and 51 examples of Hebrew plural to Syriac singular.

Negatives. In addition, the Syriac text sometimes adds a negative (�) to a text that has no negation in the MT, or vice versa. This can, understandably, lead to different interpretations of these passages.

Introduction to the Translation

XXX

Job 4:16 ‫תמונה לנגד עיני‬

̈ ‫ܘܠܝܬ ܚܙܬܐ ܠܘܩܒܠ‬ ‫ܥܝܢܝ‬

a form was before mine eyes and there was no image before my eyes

Omission of particles. The Peshiṭta translation also omits many particles that occur in the MT. Job 1:21 ‫וערם אשוב שמה‬

‫ܘܥܪܛ�ܗܦܘܟ‬

and naked shall I return thither. and naked I will return.

Repetitions or Double Translations. Words, phrases, or entire clauses have been repeated during the translation process (Szpek 1992, 29–30; Dhorme 1967, ccxviii; Weitzman 1997, 384–385). Doublets, words or phrases from the Hebrew that were translated twice, can take many different forms in Job. Perhaps one of the most prominent examples is in Job 20:4. Job 20:4

‫מני שׂים אדם עלי ארץ‬

:‫ܡܢ ܕܐܬܒܪܝ ܐܕܡ ܥ�ܪܥܐ‬ .‫ܡܢ ܕܥܒܕ �ܢܫܐ ܥ�ܪܥܐ‬

since man was placed upon earth since Adam was created upon the earth, since He made humankind upon the earth.

Often confused homographs. The translators of the Syriac text of Job have frequently confused the Hebrew consonantal text with other homographs. The following are just a few examples of this phenomenon. For an expanded list, see Szpek (1992, 275–282).

‫‘ ܡ�ܝܪܝ‬embittered ones’ ‫‘ ܩܪܒܝ‬my battle’

‫‘ כמרירי‬let the darkness’ ‫‘ לחמי‬my food’ (poss. read as ‫לחם‬ ‘to battle’) Job 17:6 ‫‘ ܫܘܠܛܢܐ‬authority’ ‫‘ ָמ ָשׁל‬byword’ (poss. read as ‫ָמ ַשׁל‬ ‘rule’) Job 20:7 ��‫‘ ܥܠ‬storm, whirlwind’ ‫‘ גללו‬his dung’ (poss. read as ‫גלגל‬ ‘whirlwind’) Job 24:12 ‫‘ ܨܠܘܬܗܘܢ‬their prayer’ ‫‘ תפלה‬folly’ (poss. read as √‫פלל‬ ‘to pray’) Job 29:19 ��‫‘ ܛ‬shadow’ ‫‘ טל‬dew’

Job 3:5 Job 6:7

Changes due to confusion of consonants. In some passages, the translator may have simply misread the Hebrew consonants (Szpek 1992, 275–282). Job 6:17 ‫‘ ܕܢܚ‬to shine, rise’ Job 6:19 ‫‘ ܬܝܡܢܐ‬South’ Job 11:12 ‫‘ ܥܕܪ‬to help’

‫‘ זרב‬warm’ (poss. read as ‫‘ זרח‬to rise’) ‫‘ תמא‬Tema’ (poss. read as ‫‘ תימן‬South’) ‫‘ עיר‬colt’ (poss. read as ‫‘ עור‬to help’)

Introduction to the Translation

XXXI

Job 15:27 ‫‘ ܟܝܡܐ‬Pleiades’

‫‘ פימה‬fatness’ (poss. read as ‫כימה‬ ‘Pleiades’) Job 15:27 ‫‘ ܠܝܘܬܐ‬Orion’ ‫‘ כסל‬loins’ (poss. read as ‫‘ כסיל‬Orion’) Job 30:17 ‫‘ ܝܩܪ‬to weigh’ ‫‘ נקר‬pierce’ Piel (poss. read as √‫‘ יקר‬be precious/heavy’) Job 35:10 ‫‘ ܡܚܫܒܬܐ‬thought’ ‫‘ זמרות‬songs’ (poss. read as ‫מזמות‬ ‘thoughts’) Job 39:18 �‫‘ ܕܩ‬date-palm tree’ ‫ תמריא‬from ‫‘ מרא‬to lift up’ (poss. read as ‫‘ תמר‬palm’) Changes due to a different Hebrew vocalization. Even when the translator correctly understood the consonantal Hebrew text, he or she often appears to have vocalized the text differently than did the Hebrew Masoretes (Szpek 1992, 275–282). This can result in a radically different meaning for the Syriac text.

‫‘ ̈ܡܝܬܐ‬the dead’ ‫‘ ̈ܟܐܒܐ‬pains’

‫‘ ְמתים‬men’ (poss. read as ‫)מתים‬ ֵ ‫‘ ְכּ ׇאב‬as with a father’ (poss. read as ‫)כּ ֵאב‬ ְ Job 35:11 ‫‘ ܡܢ ܩܕܡ‬beforehand’ ‫‘ ַמ ְלּ ֵפנו‬who teacheth us’ (poss. read as ‫) ִמ ִלּ ְפנֵ י‬ Job 40:28 ‫‘ �ܗܐ‬God’ ‫[‘ ֶאל‬unto]’ (poss. read as ‫)אל‬ ֵ (41:1 ASV) Job 11:3 Job 31:18

Changes due to linguistic interference. In other passages the translator appears to have imposed a Syriac meaning upon the Hebrew word without taking into account semantic changes between the two languages over time (Szpek 1992, 41–43; Dhorme 1967, ccxviii). Job 6:7 Job 6:9 Job 30:21

‫‘ ܡܐܢ‬be worn down/ weary’ ‫‘ ܕܟܐ‬purify’ ‫‘ ܣܛܡ‬bound/ restrain’

‫‘ מאן‬to refuse’ ‫‘ דכא‬to crush’ ‫‘ שׂטם‬to prosecute’

Variants between MSS. Although the Peshiṭta text of Job appears to have been passed down with some degree of consistency, variants do occur between Syriac manuscripts (Dhorme 1967, ccxviii). A list of variants between the Mosul and Leiden Peshiṭta editions has been provided following this Introduction. Many of these variants are the result of the confusion of letters or misplaced words. In the following passages from Job 35:2 and Job 41:17 the meaning has been changed due to the transposition of two letters in a word.

XXXII

Introduction to the Translation

Job 35:2

:‫ܒܗܕܐ ܐܬܚܫܒܬ ܒܕܝܢܐ‬

for this you were considered under judgment

Some manuscripts read instead ‘you were bound (‫( ’)ܐܬܚܒܫܬ‬Rignell 1982, 44). Job 41:17

.‫ ܬܪܥܐ ܕܚܪܒܐ � ܡܫܟܚ ܠܡܩܡ‬The gate of the sword is not able to stand. Older manuscripts read ‫‘ ܚܒܪܐ‬pit’ instead of ‫‘ ܚܪܒܐ‬sword’ (Rignell 1982, 53).

Similarly, in the following passage from Job 30:19, the dālaṯ and rīš have been mistaken at some point in the history of the text. Job 30:19

.‫ܐܪܡܝܘܢܝ ܠܛܝܢܐ‬

They have thrown me into the mud.

Several manuscripts and the Leiden edition have ‫‘ ܐܕܡܝܘܢܝ‬compared me’ (Rignell 1982, 37). Some manuscripts include peculiar additions. So, in Job 9:18, ‘for He has filled me with bitter things,’ older manuscripts add the phrase ‘and he ̈ ‫)ܘܐܪܘܝܢܝ‬, an exact quotation from makes me drunk with wormwood’ (‫ܓܕܕܐ‬ Lamentations 3:15. This addition does not appear in later Syriac manuscripts or in the Mosul edition (Rignell 1982, 12; Rignell 1994, 70).

Attempts to clarify an obscure text. The Hebrew text of Job is infamous for its difficult vocabulary and for the number of hapax legomena. It appears that the translators of the Peshiṭta also struggled to make sense of some of these more obscure Hebrew texts. This may be the case for the following example from Job 13:27. Job 13:27 ‫שׁרשׁי רגלי תתחקה‬-‫על‬

‫ܘܥܠ ܬܘܩܦܐ ܕ�ܓܠܝ ܬܚܙܐ‬

Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet You would investigate the very firmness of my feet

Similarly, the translator seems to have been baffled by a passage in Job 39:15 concerning the ostrich and her eggs (Rignell 1994, 333; Weitzman 1997, 388). The Syriac translation has become more difficult and obscure as a result. Job 39:15 ‫ותשכח כי־רגל תזורה‬

‫ܘܐܬܢܫܝܬ ܡܛܠ ܕ�ܓ� ܕܛܝܪܐ‬

And forgetteth that the foot may crush them And she is forgotten because she has the feet of a bird

Introduction to the Translation

XXXIII

Moreover, in Job 31:10, the translator seems to have entirely missed the clever allusion to the infidelity of Job’s wife in the first part of the verse. As a result, the second clause of the verse has been dramatically re-interpreted and the sexual connotations have been entirely removed in the Syriac (Rignell 1994, 247–248; Weitzman 1999, 42). Job 31:10 ‫תטחן לאחר אשתי‬ ‫ועליה יכרעון אחרין‬

:‫ܐ� ܛܚܢܬ �ܚ�ܢܝܢ ܐܢܬܬܝ‬ ‫ܘܐܦܬ ܒܕܘܟܐ ܐܚܪܢܝܐ‬

Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her. But my wife ground for others, and she baked in another place

Job as Interpretation. Moreover, many differences between the Syriac and MT texts of Job seem more the result of different theological views than different translation techniques. In other words, it appears that the translators may have slightly changed the translation in order to reflect their own views of the world and the nature of God and humankind. The following passages may help clarify this point. (God’s Gift of Wisdom): Job 28:23 1 ‫אלהים הבין דּרכה‬ ‫והוא ידע את מקוֹמה‬

‫ܡܛܠ ܕܐܠܗܐ ܗܘ ܒܝܢܢ‬ ܿ ‫ܐܘ�ܚܬܗ܂‬ ܿ ‫ܕܘܟܬܗ‬ ‫ܘܗܘܝܘ ܝܕܥ‬ Job 28:13b ‫ולא תמצא בארץ החיים‬

̈ ‫ܘ� ܡܫܬܟܚܐ ܐ� ܐܢ ܒܐܬܪܐ‬ ‫ܕܚܝܐ‬

1

God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. Because it is God who makes us understand her ways [wisdom], and it is He (who) knows her place. Neither is it [wisdom] found in the land of the living. nor can she be found but in the place of the living.

See particularly, Alderman and Strawn, JBL 129.2 (2010).

XXXIV

Introduction to the Translation

(Resurrection and the Afterlife): Job 7:7 2 ‫זכר כי רוּח חיי‬ ‫לא תשׁוּב עיני לראוֹת טוֹב‬

‫ܐܬܕܟܪ ܕܪܘܚܐ ܚܝܐ ܗܝ܂‬ ‫ܘܬܗܦܘܟ ܥܝܢܝ ܠܡܚܙܐ ܛܒܬܐ‬ Job 42:6 ‫על כן אמאס‬ ‫ונחמתי על עפר ואפר‬

.‫ܡܛܠ ܗܢܐ ܐܫܬܘܩ‬ ‫ ܘܥܠ‬:‫ܘܐܬܢܚܡ ܥܠ ܥܦܪܐ‬ .‫ܩܛܡܐ‬

Oh remember that my life is a breath; Mine eye shall no more see good Recall that the spirit lives, and my eye will return to see prosperity. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Therefore, I will stay silent, and will be resurrected upon dust and upon ash.

This last example (Job 42:6) is taken from the final words of Job in the book. Here, the Hebrew text ‫‘( נחמ‬repent’) has been retained in the Syriac as ‫ܢܚܡ‬, though the same root has connotations in Syriac and in later Hebrew of ‘resurrection’ (Sokoloff 2009, 908). A similar interpretation may also be reflected in the postlude to Job in the LXX, where Job’s resurrection is foretold (Weitzman 1997, 391).

Borrowed Phrases or Vocabulary. It appears that the Syriac translators also borrowed vocabulary from other books in the Peshiṭta biblical canon. This would make sense if the translators were struggling to find appropriate vocabulary or Hebrew-Syriac correspondences in translations of the Syriac Bible that had already been completed by the time they were working. Some of these ‘borrowings’ can be more readily discerned than others. So, for example, the Syriac version of Job 20:22 is remarkably similar to Mark 4:24, though it differs significantly from the MT text of Job. Job 20:22 ‫במלאות שׂפקוֹ יצר לוֹ‬

‫ܒܟܝܠܬܐ ܕܐܟܝܠ ܢܬܦܪܥ‬

In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: In the measure with which he measured he shall be revenged.

2 Only one Syriac manuscript, in fact, reflects the negative reading 1994, 9).

‫( ܘ� ܬܗܦܘܟ‬Rignell

Introduction to the Translation

XXXV

The term ‘measure for measure’ occurs in Mark 4:24 (‫ܒܗܝ ܟܝܠܬܐ ܕܡܟܝܠܝܢ‬ ‫)ܐܢܬܘܢ ܡܬܬܟܝܠ ܠܟܘܢ‬, and in partial parallels in the Targum. Other possible borrowings in the Peshiṭta of Job have been proposed as well (Weitzman 1997, 390). There is at least one more noteworthy feature along this theme that bears mentioning. In Job 28, the chapter on Wisdom, descriptions of a series of precious gems in verses 15–18 culminate in verse 19 with a comparison between Wisdom and the Ephod: ‘The stones of the ephod cannot compare with her.’ This is very likely a reference to the garments worn by the Levitical priests in Exodus 28:12–19. The Syriac translator probably mistook the similarity of ‫‘( ܦܕܬܐ‬ephod’) for the Hebrew ‫ִפּ ְט ַדת‬ (‘topaz’) in verse 19a. Regardless, the East-Syrian interpreter, Išoʿdād of Merv, used this allusion to the Ephod to date of the Book of Job after the events of the exodus, therefore, in support of a late view of Job’s date of compilation (Schliebitz 1907, 51). As with so many other unique passages in this version, we see here an example of how the translators brought together their broad biblical knowledge with their distinct interpretations of the Hebrew text to complete the Peshiṭta version of Job.

TRANSLATOR’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This project has benefitted from the input of many friends and colleagues. First, I would like to thank George Kiraz and Andreas Juckel for their sage advice throughout this process. I also want to give a very special thanks to Adam Becker, who took time out of his busy schedule to read over the translation and provide valuable feedback. Adam, you have a great eye for homographs, and this translation is much the richer for your helpful comments. I am also indebted to two of my colleagues at Capital University, Kevin Griffith and Wray Bryant. An accomplished poet, Kevin took the time to tutor this historian on the ins and outs of punctuation in modern poetry. Likewise, Wray, our local Hebrew expert, provided insights on Hebrew poetry and helped open my eyes to the importance of ‘listening’ to the text. I would also like to thank Melonie Schmierer-Lee for her meticulous help in formatting the text. Of course, notwithstanding so much help, all errors are my own. As Job bemoaned in Job 19:4: Yet if I have truly erred, it is my error.

Finally, I am, as always, thankful for my wise wife Carol, who has put up with far too many questions about the English names of animals, astronomical bodies, plants, and soils. I promise that I will never again

XXXVI

Introduction to the Translation

badger you for the technical term for a horse ‘digging’ in the dirt or ‘running’ upon the earth (Job 39:21–24). Unlike Job’s wife, My wife does not grind for another, nor does she bake bread in another place.

(adapted from Job 31:10)

APPENDIX 1: VERSIFICATION Versification, the Mosul text compared with Leiden. Leiden 8:22 12:4 18:4 24:11 27:3 27:21 28:18 30:5 33:14 35:12 36:28 37:4 37:7 37:22 38:9 40:1 40:2 40:3 40:4 40:5 40:6 40:7 40:8 40:9 40:10 40:11 40:12 40:13 40:14 40:15 40:16

Begins with Mosul seventh word of 8:21 fifth word of 12:3 seventh word of 18:3 ninth word of 24:10 eighth word of 27:2 fourth word of 27:21 through eleventh word of 28:19 30:3 through first 3 words of 33:15 through first 3 words of 35:12 ninth word of 36:27 through first 3 words of 37:5 ninth word of 37:6 first word of 37:23 through last two words of 38:9 39:31 39:32 39:33 39:34 39:35 40:1 40:2 40:3 40:4 40:5 40:6 40:7 40:8 40:9 40:10 40:11 XXXVII

XXXVIII

Leiden 40:17 40:18 40:19 40:20 40:21 40:22 40:23 40:24 40:25 40:26 40:27 40:28 40:29 40:30 40:31 40:32 41:1 41:2 41:3 41:4 41:5 41:6 41:7 41:8 41:9 41:10 41:11 41:12 41:13 41:14 41:15 41:16 41:17 41:18 41:19 41:20 41:21 41:24 41:25 41:26

Appendix 1: Versification Begins with Mosul 40:12 40:13 40:14 40:15 last three words of 40:15, through 40:16 40:17 40:18 40:19 40:20 40:21 40:22 40:23 40:24 40:25 40:26 40:27 40:28 41:1 41:2 41:3 41:4 through first two words of 41:5 third word of 41:5 last word of 41:5, through 41:6 41:7 41:8 41:9 41:10 41:11 41:12 41:13 41:14 third word of 41:15 41:16 41:17 41:18 41:19 41:20 fourth word of 41:20 41:21 through first two words of 41:25 third word of 41:25

APPENDIX 2: VARIANT READINGS Based on Collations by Jonathan Loopstra and Adam Kane The following table gives the variants of Mosul against 7a1. The last column indicates the support for the Mosul reading as follows: early first millennium up to and including the tenth century. late post tenth century making use of the Leiden apparatus. Lee Lee’s edition (1823) agrees with Mosul. Urmia The Urmia edition (1852) agrees with Mosul. no support Mosul’s reading is unique. Place

Mosul

2:9

‫ܘܣܓܕ‬ ‫�ܠܗܟ‬ �‫ܘ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܓܝܒ‬ ‫ܝܘܬܪܢܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܚܪܒܐ ܦܘܡܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ‬ ̈ ‫ܕܟܐܦܐ‬ ‫ܪܘܚ‬ ‫ܘܐܢ‬ ‫ܬܚܙܐ‬ ‫ܒܡܪ�ܐ‬ ‫ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܐܬܟܫܦ‬ ‫ܐܘ�ܚܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܗܘܐ ܠܗ ܫܠܡ‬

1:20

3:26 1º 4:12 4:21

5:15 5:21 6:12 6:26 7:4

7:8 7:11 8:4 8:5

8:13 9:4

9:18

om

Leiden

om waw

‫�ܠܗܐ‬

om waw

‫ܐܬܓܝܒ‬ ‫ܝܘܪܬܢܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܚܪܒܐ ܡܢ ܦܘܡܗܘܢ‬

MS support for Mosul late early

Urmia

Lee, Urmia Lee, Urmia

om waw

late late

‫ܪܘܚܝ‬

early

om seyāme

Lee early

om seyāme om waw

‫ܬܚܕܐ‬ om

‫ܬܬܟܫܦ‬ ‫ܐܘ�ܚܬܗ‬ ‫ܘܗܘܐ ܫܠܡ‬ ̈ ‫ܘܐܪܘܝܢܝ‬ ‫ܓܕܕܐ‬ XXXIX

no support Urmia Lee, Urmia Lee, Urmia Urmia

Lee, Urmia early

‫‪Appendix 2: Variant Readings‬‬ ‫‪MS support for‬‬ ‫‪Mosul‬‬ ‫‪Urmia‬‬ ‫‪Lee, Urmia‬‬ ‫‪Lee, Urmia‬‬ ‫‪early‬‬ ‫‪early‬‬ ‫‪early‬‬

‫‪early‬‬ ‫‪Lee, Urmia‬‬ ‫‪Lee‬‬

‫‪early‬‬ ‫‪Lee‬‬

‫‪Urmia‬‬

‫‪Lee, Urmia‬‬ ‫‪Urmia‬‬ ‫‪early‬‬

‫‪Urmia‬‬ ‫‪Urmia‬‬ ‫‪early‬‬ ‫‪early‬‬ ‫‪early‬‬

‫‪Urmia‬‬ ‫‪Urmia‬‬ ‫‪Lee‬‬ ‫‪early‬‬ ‫‪early‬‬ ‫‪Lee‬‬

‫‪Urmia‬‬

‫‪late‬‬ ‫‪Lee, Urmia‬‬ ‫‪Lee, Urmia‬‬ ‫‪Lee‬‬ ‫‪early‬‬

‫‪XL‬‬

‫‪Leiden‬‬

‫‪Mosul‬‬

‫‪Place‬‬

‫ܒܐܝܕܗ‬

‫ܒܐܝܕܐ‬ ‫ܡܚ ̈ܦܝܢ‬ ‫ܒܡܪܪܐ‬ ‫ܘܐܘܕܥܝܢܝ‬ ‫ܡܢܐ‬ ‫ܐܢܝܢ‬ ‫ܓܒܬܐ ܗܘ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ ܕܫܗܝܐ‬ ‫ܘܡܫܗܝܐ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܟܣܝܬܐ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܠܕܝܢܐ ܗܘ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܠܡܠܟܝܢ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܕܬܩܝܦܐ ܗܘ‬

‫‪9:24‬‬ ‫‪10:1‬‬ ‫‪10:2‬‬ ‫‪10:2‬‬

‫‪om seyāme‬‬ ‫‪seyāme‬‬ ‫‪om waw conj.‬‬

‫ܡܢܐ ܗܘ‬ ‫ܐܢܘܢ‬ ‫ܓܒܬܐ‬ ‫ܕܫܗܝܐ‬ ‫ܘܡܫܠܗܝܐ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܟܣܝܬܗ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܠܕܝܢܐ‬ ‫̈ܡܠܟܝܢ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܕܬܩܝܦܐ‬ ‫ܕܝܢ‬ ‫ܒܟܠܗܝܢ‬ ‫‪seyāme‬‬

‫ܕܥܒܪ‬ ‫‪tr‬‬

‫ܕܣܐܒ‬ ‫ܘܠܡܢܐ‬ ‫ܠܚܪܒܐ‬ ‫ܗܘ‬

‫‪om seyāme‬‬ ‫‪om waw‬‬

‫̈‬ ‫ܒܡܫܟܢܝܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܡܢ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܢܘܟܪܝܐ‬ ‫̈ܡܠܟܝ ܡܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܡܢܘ ܥܒܕ‬ ‫ܚܫܟܗ‬ ‫ܢܗܦܘܟ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ‬

‫‪om‬‬

‫ܟܠܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܙܘܥܐ‬ ‫ܕܢܥܒܪ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܗܠܟܬܝ ܕܗܫܐ‬ ‫ܕܣܒ‬ ‫ܘܡܢܐ‬ ‫ܚܪܒܐ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܠܡܫܟܢܐ‬ ‫ܘܐܫܠܡܢܝ‬ ‫ܒܡܫܟܢܗ‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ‬ ‫ܢܘܟܪܝܐ ܗܘܝܬ‬ ‫̈ܡܠܟܝ ̈ܡܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܕܥܒܕ‬ ‫ܚܢܟܗ‬ ‫ܢܬܗܦܟ‬ ‫ܘܐܢ‬

‫‪9:24‬‬

‫‪10:5‬‬

‫‪10:10‬‬ ‫‪10:22‬‬ ‫‪10:22‬‬ ‫‪11:6‬‬

‫‪12:17‬‬ ‫‪12:18‬‬ ‫‪12:21‬‬ ‫‪13:4‬‬

‫‪13:27‬‬ ‫‪14:1‬‬ ‫‪14:13‬‬ ‫‪14:16‬‬ ‫‪15:10‬‬ ‫‪15:12‬‬ ‫‪15:22‬‬ ‫‪15:23‬‬ ‫‪15:34‬‬ ‫‪16:11‬‬ ‫‪18:6‬‬

‫‪18:15‬‬ ‫‪19:17‬‬ ‫‪19:19‬‬ ‫‪20:4‬‬ ‫‪20:13‬‬ ‫‪20:18‬‬ ‫‪23:8‬‬

Appendix 2: Variant Readings Place

Mosul

Leiden

24:1

‫ܒܣܬܪܝ‬ ‫ܡܢ‬ ‫ܘܝܕܥܘ‬ ‫ܠܟܐܦܐ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ‬ ‫ܩܠ‬ ̈ ‫ܠܒܘܫܐ‬ ‫ܡܘܣܦ‬ ̈ ‫ܘܡܝܐ‬ ‫ܐܦ‬ ‫ܥܡܐ‬ ‫ܕܪܓܠܬܐ‬

‫ܒܣܬܪܗ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܩܕܡ‬ ‫ܘܐܬܝܕܥܘ‬

‫ܠ�ܓܠܝ‬ ̈ ‫ܘܒܫܒܝܠܝ‬ ‫ܐܪܡܝܘܢܝ‬ ‫ܬܩܢܢܝ‬ ̈ ‫ܠܚܛܗܐ‬ ‫ܘܐܢ‬ ‫ܘܡܢܝܢܐ‬ ‫ܘܣܘܓܐܐ ܗܘ‬ �‫ܐܦ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ‬

‫�ܓܠܝ‬ ̈ ‫ܘܫܒܝܠܝ‬ ‫ܐܕܡܝܘܢܝ‬ ‫ܬܩܢܢ‬

23:8 24:1

24:8 24:12 27:9

27:16 27:19 28:25 28:27

29:18 30:3 (L 30:5) 30:12 30:13 30:19

31:15 31:30 31:30 31:37 32:7

32:9 32:11 32:11 33:6

33:11 34:11 34:15 35:3

35:13 36:11 36:23

om

‫ܘܐܦ ܐܢܐ‬ ‫ܟܠܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕܐܝܟ‬ ‫ܠܥܦܪܐ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܬ‬ ̇ ‫�ܗ‬ ‫ܐܢ ܢܫܡܥܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܘ�ܚܬܗ‬

seyāme om waw

‫ܒܩܠ‬

om seyāme

‫ܢܘܣܦ‬ �‫ܘܡܬܩ‬ ‫ܘܐܦ‬ ‫ܠܥܡܐ‬ seyāme

om seyāme

�‫ܘ‬

om waw

‫ܘܣܘܓܐܐ‬ � ‫ܘܐܦ‬

om waw

‫ܕܝܢ‬ ‫ܐܢܐ‬ ‫ܒܟܠܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܕܐܝܟ‬ ‫ܠܥܦܪܗ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܐܢܬ‬ ‫ܠܗ‬ ‫ܘܢܫܡܥܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܘ�ܚܬܐ‬

XLI

MS support for Mosul early Lee

Urmia

Urmia early early early

Urmia Lee

early

Urmia Lee early

Urmia late

early

no support late early

Urmia early Urmia early early

Lee, Urmia early

Urmia Lee

Lee, Urmia Lee, Urmia Lee

Appendix 2: Variant Readings

XLII

Place

Mosul

Leiden

38:6 38:14

‫ܒܬܪܗ‬ ‫ܟܐܦܐ‬ ‫ܘܢܬܗܦܟ‬ ‫ܐܘܪܚܟ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܕܒܪ‬ ‫ܐܝ̈ܕܝ‬

‫ܒܐܬܪܗ‬

MS support for Mosul no support

‫ܐܘܪܝܟ‬ ‫ܘܕܒܪ‬

Urmia Lee

�

�‫ܕ‬

Lee

‫ܘܚܙܐ‬

‫ܕܚܙܐ‬

37:4

39:9 39:10

39:34 (L 40:4) 41:17 (L 41:18) 41:25 (L: 41:26)

seyāme om waw om seyāme

early early

no support Urmia

APPENDIX 3: NAMES In keeping with the policy of this series, common Syriac proper names follow the ASV 1901. ‫ܐܝܘܒ‬ Job ‫ �ܝܦܙ ܬܝܡܢܝܐ‬Eliphaz the Temanite ‫ ܒܠܕܕ ܫܘܚܝܐ‬Bildad the Shuhite ‫ ܨܘܦܪ ܢܥܡܬܝܐ‬Zophar the Naamathite ‫�ܝܗܘ‬ Elihu ‫ܐܝܡܡܐ‬ Jemimah ‫ܩܨܘܥܐ‬ Keziah ‫ܩܪܢܦܘܕܟ‬ Keren-happuch

XLIII

BIBLIOGRAPHY LEXICA AND DICTIONARIES

Payne Smith, J. A Compendious Syriac Dictionary. Oxford: Clarendon, 1903. Sokoloff, M., ed. A Syriac Lexicon. A Translation from the Latin, Correction, Expansion, and Update of C. Brockelmann’s Lexicon Syriacum. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2009.

TEXTS AND COMMENTARIES

Bernstein, G. H., ed. Gregorii Bar-Hebraei scholia in librum Iobi. Vratislaviae: Typis Universitatis, 1858. Ceriani, A. M., ed. Translatio syra pescitto Veteris Testamenti ex Codice Ambrosiano. Vol. 1. London: Williams and Norgate, 1876. Chabot, J.B., ed. Synodicon Orientale. Paris: Imprimerie Nationale, 1902. David, C. J. and G. Ebed-Jesus Khayyath, eds. Biblia Sacra juxta versionem simplicem, quæ dicitur Pschitta. Mosul: Typis Fratrum Praedicatorum, 1887–1891. Graffin, F., ed. Les Homiliae Cathedrales de Sévère d’Antioche. Patrologia Orientalis 38.2. Turnhout/Belgium: Brepols, 1976. Hespel, R. and R. Draguet. Théodore bar Koni. Livre des Scolies (recension de Séert). CSCO 431–432, Syr. 187–188. Louvain: Peeters, 1981–1982. Jacobsen, T. P. R. “The Commentary of Dionysios bar Ṣalibi on the Book of Job.” Ph.D. dissertation, University of Chicago, 1929. Lamsa, G. The Holy Bible from Ancient Eastern Manuscripts: Containing the Old and New Testaments. Philadelphia: A. J. Holman, 1957. Loopstra, J., ed. An East Syriac Manuscript of the Syriac ‘Masora’. 2 Vols. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2014–2015. Mingana, A., ed. Narsai doctoris homiliae et carmina. Vol. 2. Mosul: Typis Fratrum Praedicatorum, 1905. Rignell, G., ed. The Old Testament in Syriac according to the Peshiṭta Version. Part II, fasc. 1a: Job. Leiden: Brill, 1982. van Rompay, L. “An Ascetic Reading of the Book of Job: Fragments from a Syriac Commentary Attributed to John the Solitary (Ms. London, British Library, Add.18814, f. 91r–95r).” Le Muséon 119.1–2 (2006):1– 24. XLV

XLVI

Bibliography

Scher, A., ed. Theodorus bar Kōnī. Liber Scholiorum. CSCO Syr. II. 65–66. Paris: Typographeo Republicae, 1910, 1912. Schliebitz, J., ed. Išôdâdh’s Kommentar zum Buche Hiob. Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 11. Giessen: Alfred Töpelmann, 1907. Valavanolickal, K. Aphrahat Demonstrations. 2nd Edition. Kerala: Saint Ephrem Ecumentical Research Institute, 2005.

REFERENCE WORKS ON SYRIAC JOB

Baumann, E. “Die Verwendbarkeit der Pešita zum Buche Ijob für die Textkritik.” Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 18 (1898):305– 338; 19 (1899):15–95, 288–309; 20 (1900):177–201, 264–307. Dhorme, E. A Commentary on the Book of Job. Trans. H. Knight. London: Nelson, 1967. Mandl, A. Die Peschittha zu Hiob, nebst einem Anhang über ihr Verhältniss zu LXX und Targum. Budapest: Propper, 1892. Rignell, G. The Peshiṭta to the Book of Job Critically Investigated with Introduction, Translation, Commentary and Summary. Kristianstad: Monitor, 1994. Seow, C. L. Job 1–21. Interpretation and Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2013. Stenij, E. De Syriaca Libri Iobi Interpretatione, quae Peschita. Helsingfors, 1887. Szpek, H. Translation Technique in the Peshiṭta to Job: A Model for Evaluating a Text with Documentation from the Peshiṭta to Job. SBL Dissertation Series 137. Atlanta, Georgia: Scholars Press, 1992. Weitzman, M. The Syriac Version of the Old Testament. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

GENERAL INTEREST

Alderman, B. and B. Strawn. “A Note on Peshiṭta Job 28:33.” Journal of Biblical Literature 129.2 (2010):449–456. Brock, S. “From Annunciation to Pentecost: the travels of a technical term [aggen].” Pages 71–91 in Eulogema: Studies in Honor of R.F.Taft S.J. Edited by E. Carr, et al. Studia Anselmiana 110. Rome: Pontificio Ateneo S. Anselmo, 1993. Brock, S. “The Position of Job in Syriac Biblical Manuscripts: The survival of an ancient tradition.” Pages 49–62 in Graeco-Latina et Orientalia. Edited by S. Khalil Samir and J. P. Monferrer-Sala. Córdoba: Oriens Academic, 2013. Gold, S. L. “Making Sense of Job 37.13: Translation Strategies in 11Q10, Peshiṭta and the Rabbinic Targum.” Pages 282–301 in Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Texts: Essays in Memory of Michael P. Weitzman. Edited by

Bibliography

XLVII

Rapoport-Albert, Ada and Greenberg, Gillian. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001. __________. “Understanding the Book of Job: 11Q10, the Peshiṭta and the Rabbinic Targum. Illustrations from a Synoptic Analysis of Job 37– 39”. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Oxford, 2008. Goréa-Autexier, M. “La Bible des Syriens à la lumière des citations de Job.” Revue Biblique 106:4 (1999):481–510. Papoutsakis, Emmanuel. “Ostriches into Sirens: Towards an Understanding of a Septuagint Crux.” Journal of Jewish Studies 55 (2004):25–36. Parmentier, M. “Job the Rebel: From the Rabbis to the Church Fathers.” Pages 227–242 in Saints and Role Models in Judaism and Christianity. Edited by M. Poorthuis and J. Schwartz. Leiden: Brill, 2004. Reed, A. Y. “Job as Jobab: The Interpretation of Job in LXX Job 42:17b– e.” Journal of Biblical Literature, 120.1 (2001):31–55. Rignell, G. “Notes on the Peshiṭta of the Book of Job.” Annual of the Swedish Theological Institute 9 (1974):98–105. Shepherd, D. “Rendering ‘Flesh and Bones’: Pair Reversal and the Peshiṭta of Job 2.5.” Aramaic Studies 3:2 (2005):205–213. Szpek, H. “An Observation on the Peshiṭta’s Translation of šdy in Job.” Vetus Testamentum 47:4 (1997):550–553. __________. “On the Influence of the Targum on the Peshiṭta to Job.” Pages 141–158 in Targum Studies. Vol. 2: Targum and Peshiṭta. Edited by Paul V.M Flesher. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1998. __________. “The Peshiṭta on Job 7:6: ‘My Days are Swifter (?) than an ‫ארג‬.” Journal of Biblical Literature 113.2 (1994):287–290. Wechsler, M. “Shared Reflections of Early Jewish Exegetical/Targumic Tradition in the Peshiṭta Text of Job and the Targum from Qumran (11QTgJob).” Le Muséon 115:1–2 (2002):77–128. Weitzman, M. “Hebrew and Syriac Texts of the Book of Job.” Pages 381– 399 in Congress Volume: Cambridge 1995. Edited by J.A. Emerton. Leiden: Brill, 1997. Wilson, E. J. “11QtgJob and the Peshiṭta Job.” Pages 411–417 in The Dead Sea Scrolls Fifty Years after Their Discovery: Proceedings of the Jerusalem Congress, July 20–25, 1997. Edited by Schiffman, Lawrence W. and Tov, Emanuel and VanderKam, James C. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society / The Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum, 2000.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION

Ch. 



He named the first of them Jemima,

and the name of the second Kezua,

and the name of the third Karnapuch.



And no women were found as beautiful as the daughters of Job in all the land. And their father granted them an inheritance together with their brothers.



After this Job lived one hundred and forty years,



Job grew old and was full of days, 1 and he died.

and he saw his sons and his grandsons, unto four generations.

1

‘was full of days’: lit. ‘be satisfied in his days’.



‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܶܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܗܝܢ‪ :‬ܐ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡ ̇ܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܬܪ ݁ܬܶܝܢ‪ܺ :‬ܩ ܽܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܐ‪.‬‬

‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ‪ܰ :‬ܩ ܳܪܢ ݂ ܽܦ ݂ܘܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܶ ̈ܶ ܰ ݁ ܺ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ݁ ܺܕܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪݁ :‬ܒ ݂ ܽܟ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܐܫܬ ݂ܟܚ ܢܫܐ ݂ܕܫܦܝ�ܢ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܒܢ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܬ ܳ�ܐ ܥܰܡ ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܝ ܶܗܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ �ܗܝܢ ܐ ݂ܒܘܗܝܢ ܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܳܗ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ‪ܳ :‬ܡܐܐ ܰܘܐܪ ݁ܒܥܺܝܢ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܝܐ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܡܢ ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ݂ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܰܘ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪ :‬ܥܰ� ݁ܪܒ ܳܥܐ ݂ ܳܕ �ܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ̈ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ‪ܺ :‬‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܐ ݂ܒ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪ :‬ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂‬ ‫ܣܒܥ ܝܘܡ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Now take for yourselves seven oxen, and seven rams,

and go to my servant Job, and he will offer up an offering on your behalf. And my servant Job will pray for you.

And I will look upon him favorably, lest I deal with you reproachfully.

For you have not spoken before me righteously, as has my servant Job.’



So Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went out, and they did as the Lord told them. And the Lord favored Job.



As he was praying for his friends, the Lord restored what was kept from Job. 1 The Lord added to all Job’s possessions 2 twofold.



And all his brothers came to him and his sisters, and all who had known him previously. And they ate bread with him in his house, for they had grieved for him.

And they consoled him for all the evils the Lord had brought on him. And each one gave him an ewe, and each an earring of gold.



So the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his former. He had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels,

and one thousand pair 3 of oxen, and one thousand she-asses.



And he had seven sons and three daughters.

‘what was kept from Job’: lit. ‘the captivity of Job’. ‘Job’s possessions’: lit. ‘which were to Job’. 3 ‘pair’: lit. ‘yoke’. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܰܣ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܟܘܢ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥܐ ݂ ܰܬܘ ܺ�ܝܢ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܘܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܟ ܺ�ܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܪܒ ܳܢܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ݂ ܰܦ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܙܶܠ ̱ܘ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ܕ ̱ܝ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܰܘܢ ܶܣܩ ܽܩ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ܕ ̱ܝ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܰܢܨ ܶ� ܥܠ ܰ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ̈ ݁ ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܩ��‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܥܒ ݂ܕ ܒܐܦܘ ̱ܗܝ ܕ� ܐܥܒ ݂ܕ ݂ܟܘܢ ܒ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܬܘܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܝ ݁ ܺܟ ܽܐܢ ݂ܘܬܐ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ܕ ̱ܝ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ� ܐܡ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠܘ ܶܐ ܺܠ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡ� ܳܝܐ‪ܶ ݂ :‬‬ ‫ܝܦܙ ݁ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܡܬ ܳ�ـܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ݂ܕ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝـܟ‬ ‫ܥܒـ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܝـܐ‪ :‬ܘܨ ݂ܘܦـܪ ܢ ݂‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܽ‬ ‫݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܳܡܪ�ܐ‪ܳ.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ݂ ܰܒܐ ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ ܺܕܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ܰܐ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܨ ܶ� ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܥܰܠ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ ݁ ܺܕܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܟ ݂‬ ‫ܫܒ ݂‬ ‫ܚܡ ̱‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܺ� ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܰܐ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܘܣ ݂ܦ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰܐ ܰܚ ̈ܘܗܝ ܰܘܐ ̈ܚ ܳܘ ݂ܬܶܗ‪ܽ ݂ :‬‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬܶܗ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܬܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܠ ݁ܕܝܳ ݂ܕܥܺܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܕܝܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ݂‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܘ ݂ ܰܐܟܠ ̱ܘ ܠܚܡܐ ܥܡܗ ܒ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܕ ݂ܐܟܪܝܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܽ ܶ ݁ܺ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܝܬܝ ܳܡ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܡܢ ܟ�ܗܝܢ ܒܝܫ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܘܒ ܽܝܐ ̱‬ ‫ܩܕ ܳܫܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܢܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܶܠܗ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܪ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܝܐ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܗܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܪ ݁ܝܬܗ ݁ ܺܕܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܛ ݂ܒ ܡܢ ܩ ݂ܕܡ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ݂ ܰܒܪ ݂ܟ ܐ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܘܘ ܠܗ ܐܪܒ ݂ܬ‬ ‫ܥܣܪ ܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ܳ�ܢ̈ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ̈ ܺ ܰ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫܬܐ ܐܠ ݂ܦܝܢ ݁ܓܡ�‪:‬‬ ‫ܰܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܠ ݂ܦ ݁ ܰܦ ݁ ܳܕ ܺ� ̈ܝܢ ݁ܕ ݂ܬܘ� ܐ‪ܳ :‬ܘܐ ܶܠ ݂ܦ ܐ ݁ܬ ܺ� ̈ܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥܐ ݂ܒ ܺ� ̈ܝܢ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ݁ܒܢ̈ܢ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 

  

And Job replied to the Lord:

‘I know that You have the power to perform all these things, and no thought can be hidden from You.

“Who is this who considers council by words devoid of knowledge?” 1 Therefore, You have shown me that I have not understood, and I did not know that these things 2 are too great for me.



Hear me, and I would speak!



It was by the hearing of the ear that I had heard You.

 XIV



I would question You — instruct me! 3 Now, surely, my eye has seen You.

Therefore, I will stay silent, and I will be resurrected upon dust and upon ash.’ It happened that after the Lord spoke these words with Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, ‘My anger is inflamed against you and against your two companions because you all 4 have not spoken before me what is proper, 5 as has my servant Job.

Job 38:2. ‘know that these things’: lit. ‘know that’. 3 ‘instruct me’: compare with God’s earlier addresses to Job (Job 38:3 and 40:2). 4 ‘you all’: ‘you’ and ‘your’ in verses 7–8 are plural. 5 ‘what is proper’: lit. ‘justice’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫ܨܚ ܝܕ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫ܡܒ‪.‬‬

‫ܐܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܡܨܶ ܐ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܰܚ ܳܝ� ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܡܬܛܫܝܐ ܡܢ ݂ܟ ܬܪܥ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ̈ܶ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ܒܡ� ݂ܕ� ܝ ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܡܢܘ ܗܢܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ܬܪܥܐ ݂ܬܪܥ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܚ ܺܘ ݁ܝܬ ̱ܢܝ ݁ܕ� ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒܝܢܶ ݂ܬ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܝ ܶ ݂ܕܥ ܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܕܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒܢ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܐ ܰܡܠܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܡܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܶܐ ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ݂ܟ‪ܰ :‬ܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܕܥܰ ̱‬ ‫݁ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܥܬ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܫܡܥܰܐ ̱ܗܘ ܕ ݂ܐܕܢܐ ܫܡ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳܳ‬ ‫ܚܙ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܢܝ ܗܐ‬ ‫ܗܫܐ ܥ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܫܬܘܩ‪ܶ .‬ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰ� ܰܚܡ ܥܰܠ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪ :‬ܘܥܰܠ ܶܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܛܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ܗܢܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪ ݁ܕ ܰܡܠ ܶܠ ܳܡ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ـܘܒ‪ܶ :‬ܐ ܰܡـܪ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ـܐ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ݂ܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ̈ܡܐ ܳܗ ܶܠܝـܢ ܥܰـܡ ܐ ܽܝ ݂‬ ‫ܘܗܘܐ ܡܢ ܰ ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܳ� ܺܠ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܦܙ ݁ܬܝܡ�ܝܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓܙ ̱ܝ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ܝܟ ܘܥܰܠ ݁ܬ ܶܪܝܢ ܰܚ ݂ܒ ܰ� ݁ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܬ ܰܚܡ ݂ܬ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܬܘܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܝ ݁ ܺܟ ܽܐܢ ݂ܘܬܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ܕ ̱ܝ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ� ܐܡ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



His breath would ignite coals,



Strength lodges in his neck,



His flesh is praiseworthy and fatty,



His heart does not waver;



Through fear of him the strong will shake,



The gate of the sword is not able to stand;



To him, iron is considered as straw,



He does not flee from the bow,



He scoffs at the spear, and the ocean depth 5 is thought of as dry land.



 6

and flames emerge from his mouth. and fear would dance 1 before him. and he is powerful.

it is cast as solid as a rock 2 and as firm as a hard stone. 3

and the established will be humbled.

he removes the thoughts of the mighty. and brass, as a tree that is felled by a wood-boring insect. 4 and the stones of the sling are thought of as kindling.

And his strength tramples upon the dust.

For he brings to destruction all who are proud, and he looks out. He is king over all that creeps.’

‘dance’ or ‘exult’. 2 ‘as solid as a rock’: lit. ‘as a rock’. 3 ‘hard stone’. See Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 75); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 209). 4 ‘wood-boring insect’: lit. ‘tree in which the insect falls’. 5 ‘ocean depth’: lit. ‘the deep’ or ‘the abyss’. 6 Versification in Mosul omits 22–24. 1



‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܗ‬

‫ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ݁ ܽܓܘܡ ܺ�ܝܢ ݁ ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܛ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܗ ݂ ̈ܒ ܳܝܢ ܳܢ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܩܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܨ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪܗ ݁ ܳܒܐܶ ݂ܬ ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܽ ݁ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܬ݂ܕܘܨ ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬

‫ܫܒܝܚ ݁ ܶܒ ܶ‬ ‫݂ܺ‬ ‫ܣܪܗ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܘܫ ܺܡܝܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܣܬ ܰܡ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܙ ܐܥ ܶܠ ݁ ܶܒܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܰ ݁ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܰܪܪ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܽܨ ܳܘܢ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܣ ݂ܝܟ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܟ ݂ܐܦܐ‪ .‬ܘ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܶ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܘܢ ݁ܬ ܺܩ ̈ܝ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܠܬܗ ܢܙ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܡܫ ܺ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܪܝܢ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ ܳ� ܶܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܩܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܡ� ܳܢܝ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒܢܶܐ ܳܫ ܶܩܠ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܙ� ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܬܶ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܫ ݂ܝܒ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܦ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܚܫܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܩܝܣܐ ݂ܕܢ ݂ܦ� ݂ܒܗ ܒܠܛ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫� �ܪܩ ܡܢ ܩ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܚܫ ̈ܝ ݂ ܳܒܢ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܺܟܐ ݂ ̈ܦܐ ݂ܕ ܶܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ݁ ̈ܶܓ ܶ� ܺ‬ ‫�ܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܳܓ ܶܚ ݂ܟ ܥܰܠ ܰܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܫ ݂ܝܒ ܶܠܗ ݁ܬ ܽܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܝܰ ݂ܒ ܳܫܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܙܟܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܘܚܝܠ ܶܗ ܥܰܠ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬

‫݁ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ � ݂ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܽܟܠ ݁ܕ ܳܪܡ ܘ ܳܚ ܶܙ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܟܠܗ ܰ�ܚ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 

  

‘He shall not be distant when he is aroused. — Yet who may stand before Me?

Who is before Me that I should surrender? Whatever is under 1 the whole heaven is Mine! — And I will not stay silent about his strength, and about the muscles 2 of his virile strength!



Who has uncovered his outer covering? 3



who can come? Who can open the gate of his mouth,



His mouth is tied, and bound, and sealed.

When the net is lowered,

the row of his teeth, the terror of the valley?



One is near 4 to another,



One is connected 5 to another,



His glances 6 are full of light,



And coming out from his mouth are lamps like coals of fire,



and the wind cannot even come between them. and they are closed up tight and cannot be parted.

and his eyes, as the rays of the dawn.

and they are inflamed like sparks of fire.

From out of his nostrils smoke emerges, like a kettle-pot 7 that is inflamed. ‘Whatever is under’: lit. ‘Under’. ‘muscles’: lit. ‘sinews’ or ‘tendons’. 3 ‘his outer covering’: lit. ‘the face of his garment’. 4 ‘is near’: lit. ‘are near’ (pl.). 5 ‘is connected’: lit. ‘are connected’ (pl.). 6 ‘glances’: lit. ‘eyes’. See Job 16:16. 7 ‘kettle-pot’: more specifically, the warming stand holding a kettle, or poss. the ‘heath’. See Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 75); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 207). 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܡܐ‪.‬‬

‫ܳ� ܰܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܚܩ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܥܺܝܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܝ ܽܢܩܘܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܠܝ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܝ ݁ ܶܕܐܫܠܡ‪݁ .‬ܬ ܶܚ ݂‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ‪ܺ ݁ :‬ܕ ̱‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܩ ݁ܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ݁ܽ‬ ‫݁ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒ ݂ܓ ܳ� ݂ ̈ܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܽܪ ݂ܘܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ‬ ‫ܫܬܘܩ‪ :‬ܒܚܘܣܢܗ ݂‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ݁ ܰܓܠܺܝ ܰܐ ݁ ܰ ̈ܦܝ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ܳܢ ݂ܦ� ܺܡܨ ݁ܝܕ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܐ ݂ܬܶܐ‪ܰ ݁ .‬ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܳܦ ݂ܬܚ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ ݁ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰܢܚ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕܫ�ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪ :‬ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫݁ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ ܺܨܪܝܪ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܬܝܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܣܝܪ‪ :‬ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܠܚ ݂ܕ ܰܩ ܺܪ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ � ܳܥܐ� ݂ ܰܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܪ‬ ‫ܠܚܕ ܰܢ ܺܩ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܦܝܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܰ ݂‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺܐܚ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܩܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ̈ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܰܡ ̈� ܳܝܢ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚܙ ܝ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܙ ܺ� ̈ܝ ܰܩܝ ܰܫ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ܰܐܝܟ ݁ ܽܓܘܡ ܶ� ܐ ܕ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ ܰܠ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܘܢ ݂ܦ ܺܩܝܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܡܦ ݂ ܶ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܫܒ ̈ܝ ܰܒܝ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܰܠܗܛܺܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ݂ ܺ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܩ ݁ܕ ܳܣܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܬ ݂ܰܓܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܢ ݂ܦܩ ܬ�ܢܐ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܕ‬ ‫ܢܚܝ� ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



And the many mountains bear him away,



And in the secret place of the reed-bed he lies down.



and every wild animal of the field sleeps under his shadow.

The shadows surround him, and the ravens of the valley encompass him.



If the river rages forth, he is not shaken;



In its clouds, it takes him away; he will be caught in a net.



he is confident, though the Jordan flows into his mouth.

Will you seize the sea monster 1 in a net? Will you seize him with a rope through his tongue?



Can you fling a bridle into his mouth,



And if he makes many requests of you and speaks to you softly,

   

and pierce his cheek with a chain?

can he establish a covenant with you? Or will you consider him a servant forever?

Can you laugh at him as at a bird? And can you keep him for the days of your childhood? The companions would assemble against him,

and they would divide him up among the multitude.

Can you fill up his skin with meat and place his head 2 in the shadow of the fire? 3



Place your hand on him,



Behold, your foot is unimpeded,

and you will not have 4 a memory of the struggle! so also God will remove his venom.’

‘sea monster’ or ‘whale’. Also in Job 7:12. For various interpretations, see Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 79, 81); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 208). 2 ‘place his head’: lit. ‘his head’. 3 ‘in the shadow of the fire’. See interpretation in Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 73, 75). 4 ‘have’: lit. ‘add’. 1



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܽ ܳ ݁ ܽ ܶ ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܩܝܠܝܢ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ܕܛܘ� ܐ‬ ‫ܝܗ ܘܣ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݂ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܶܛܠܳܠܶܗ ݁ ܳܕ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܟ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܰܚ ܽܝܘ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪݁ :‬ܬ ܶܚ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܶܣ ݁ܬ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܩ ܳܢܝܐ ܳܪ ݂ ܰܒܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܶܛ ܳ ̈� ܶ�‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ܟ ܺܪ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܙ ݁ܟ ܺܪ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܟܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܽܥ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ�ܒܐ ݂ܕ ܰܢܚ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܳܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܪ ܐ‪ܳ � :‬ܙ ܐܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܚ ܐܢ ܫܘܪ ܢ‬ ‫ܘܪܕ ܳܢܢ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܬ ݂ ܺܟܝܠ ݁ܕ ܳܢ ܶܣ ݂ܟ ܶܠܗ ܽܝ ݁‬ ‫ܘܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܥ� ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܢܶ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܛ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪ܰ ݁ .‬ܒܡ ܺܨ ݁ܝܕ ݁ܬܐ ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܶܚ ݂ܕ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܒܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܟ ݁ܬܶ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܬ ܺܢ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ ܰܒܡ ܺܨ ݁ܝܕ ݁ ܳܬܐ‪݁ .‬ܒ ܰܚ ݂ܒ ܳ� ݂ܬܶ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܒ ܶ� ܳܫܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݂‬ ‫ܐܚܕܝ ̱‬ ‫ܐܚܕܝ ̱‬ ‫ܟܐ ܳܪ ܶܡܐ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ܦ ܽܓ ݁ܘܕ ݁ ܳܬܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳܘܢ ܶܩܒ ܰܐܢ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܦ ݁ ܶܟܗ ݁ܒ ܽܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ ̱‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ܕ ܰ� ݁ ܺܟ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܓܐ ݂ ܳܒܥ ܶܐ ܶܡ ܳܢ ݂ܟ ܳܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܒ ܶܘܐܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܟܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܝ ܳܡܐ‪ܰ .‬ܐܘ ܳܡܢܶܐ ܰܐܢ ݁ܬ ܶܠܗ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܓ ܰܡ ܰܫܪ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥܠ ܰܡ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܶܨ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܳ .‬ܘܢ ܰܛܪ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܶܠܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡ ݂ܘܬ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫�� ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ܥܠ‬ ‫ܟܕ ݁ ܳܓ ܶܚ ݂ܟ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܟܗ ܰܫ ̈ܘ ݁ ܳܬ ݂ ܶܦܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܫܘܢ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܓܘܢܶܗ ݁ ܶܒ ݂‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܢܦ ܽ ݂‬ ‫ܣܪ ܐ‪ܺ :‬‬ ‫ܝܫܗ ݁ܒ ܶܛ ܳ� ܳ� ܕ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܟܗ ݁ ܶܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܘ ܳܡ ܶ� ܰܐܢ ݁ܬ ܶܡ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳܝܕ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܙ ܺܣܝܡ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫݂ ܽܘܕ ݂ܘܟ ܳܪ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ ܳ� ݂ ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܦ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܚ ܳܗܐ ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ܶܪ ݂ܓܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܪ ݁ܪܬܶܗ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܩܘܠ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



And the Lord answered Job from the storm:



‘Gird up your loins, I implore, like a champion!



if you discredit and condemn me, so to be justified.

I will question you. Instruct me, 1



Do you have an arm comparable to God’s? 2



Clothe yourself in majesty and vigorous power;

XIII

And can you thunder with a voice such as His? cover yourself in splendor and grandeur!



Pour out the fervor of your wrath;



Cast out sinners from their place!

      

see everyone who is proud — throw him down!

Bury 3 them together in the dirt, and close them up in the dust!

And then I will praise you, when your own right hand has saved you.

Behold, Behemoth, which I made along with you; he eats grass as the ox. And his strength is in his secret place. 4

His tail stands tall like a cedar, and the sinews of his thighs 5 stand out. His bones are as hard as bronze and iron.

He is the foremost of all God’s creatures, for He created him to make war.

‘Instruct me’: lit. ‘Let me know.’ ‘comparable to God’s’: lit. ‘such as God’. 3 ‘Bury’ or ‘Conceal’. Also in Job 3:16. 4 Also in Job 40:16. 5 ‘sinews of his thighs’ or poss. ‘jugular veins of his neck’. Bar ʿEbroyo interprets as ‘jaw’ or ‘neck’. Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 207). 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫ܨܚ ܝܓ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫ܡ‪.‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳܳ‬ ‫���‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܡܪ � ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܡܢ ܥ‬ ‫ܘܥܢܐ ܡܪ�ܐ ܘ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐ ܽܣܘܪ ܺܢܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܚ ܰܨ ܝ ̈ ݁ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܐ ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ݂ܟ‪ܰ :‬ܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܕܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܒܛ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܝ ݂ܒ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ݁ ܶܙܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ܗܘ ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ܕ ܳܪ ܳܥܐ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܥ ܶܡ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ܒ ܳܩ� ܐ ݂ܟ ܳܘ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܐ ݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܽܪ ݂ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܠܒܫ ݁ܓܐܝ ݂‬ ‫ܶܘ ݂ܐܬܥܰ ܰܛ ݂ܦ ܺܙ ܳܝܘܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗ݂ܕ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܫܘܕ ܶܚ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܳܙ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ ݂‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ݂ܕܪ ݂‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܽܟܠ ݁ܕ ܳܪܡ‪ :‬ܣ ܽܚ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦܝ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ ݂‬ ‫ܠܚ ܳܛ ̈ܝܶܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܕ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܐܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ ݂ܒܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܛܡܘܪ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ‪ܰ .‬ܘܐ ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܒܘܫ ݁ܒ ݂ ܰܕ ܺܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶܳ ܶ ܰ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܬ ݂ܟ ܝܰ ܺܡ ܳܝܢ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܦ ܐܢܐ ܐܫܒܚ ݂ܟ‪ :‬ܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦܪ ݂‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ݂ ܶܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܐ ݂ ܶܟܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܡ ݂ܘܬ ݁ܕܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܬ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ‪ :‬ܥܡܝܪ ܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܬ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܥܘܫܢܶܗ ݁ܒ ܶܣ ݁ܬ ܶܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ݁ܽ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܙܩ ݂ܦ ܕ‬ ‫ܘܢܒܗ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܐ ܳܪܙ ܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘܙܩ ݂ܝܦܝܢ ݁ܓ ܳ� ݂ ̈ܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦܘܚ ݁ ܰܕ ̱‬ ‫ܰܺ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܦܪܙ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܥܫܝܢܝܢ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܢܚܫܐ ܘ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܰܓ� ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܽ ܽ ܺ ݁ܽ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ‪݁ .‬ܕܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶܕܗ ݁ܕܢܶ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘܝܘ ܪܝܫ ܟ�ܗܝܢ ܒ�ܝ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



With a sound, he cries, “Neigh!”, 1

and from a distance he smells the battle,

and he terrifies the officers with his neighing.

  

By your wisdom does the hawk come into being, so he stretches his wings to the south? 2

By the word of your mouth is the eagle 3 lifted up, so she raises up her nest upon the cliff? So she nests and spends the night on the crag of the cliff?



And by her prey she is sustained,



And her chicks guzzle down blood,



And the Lord said to Job:

and her eyes scan the far distance.

and where the slain is killed, there she is.’



‘Many are the deliberations of God,



And Job replied the Lord:

and whoever accuses God must give an answer!’



‘I am insignificant! What can I answer You?



I spoke once, and I could not provide an answer;

I place my hands over my mouth.

twice, I will not continue to speak.’

‘neigh’: lit. ‘oh!’ or ‘aha!’ (an interjection) or, poss., as Syr. term, ‘Bring me to life!’ ‘south’ or ‘south wind’ (also in Job 37:17). See Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 71); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 207). 3 ‘eagle’. But see Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1858, 71). 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܗ ݁ܒ ܳܩ� ܐ ܰܡܪ ܐ ܳܚ ̱‬ ‫ܘܚܩܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܪܝܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒܢܶܐ ݂ܒܨܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܙܝܥ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܗܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ݂ܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܘ ܶܡܢ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶ� ܳܨ ܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ܦ ܰܪܣ ݁ ܶܓ ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݂‬ ‫ܫܩ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܪܝܡ ܶܩܢܶܗ ܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܟ ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܺܪܝܡ ܢܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܙ ܥܰܠ ܶܡܠ ܰ ݂ܬ ݁ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܩ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܐܶ ݂ܬ ܥܰܠ ܶܫ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܫ ݂ ܶܟܢ‪ܳ ݂ :‬‬ ‫ܟܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݁ܶ ܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܬ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܛ ܘܡܢ ܨܝܕܗ ܡ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫�ܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚܩܐ ܳܚܝ�ܢ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܰܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܳܡܐ ܳ�ܥܺܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓ ̱‬ ‫ܠ ݂ܘܦ� ݂ܰ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܬܩܛܠ ܩܛܝ�‪݁ :‬ܬ ܳܡܢ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ � ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪.‬‬ ‫� ܘܥܢܐ ܡܪ�ܐ ܘ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܟ ̈ܘܗܝ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܒ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ܺܝܐܝܢ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ܕ ܰܡ ݁ ܶܟܣ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪ :‬ܝܳ ܶܗ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܕ ݁ ܶܒ ܶܨܪ ݂ܬ ܺܠܝ‪ܳ :‬ܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܬ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܣ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕܝ ܥܰܠ ݁ܦ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܶܶ‬ ‫ܠܗ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܰܡܠ ݂ܬ‪ :‬ܘ� ܐ ݁ܬܠ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ݁ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܠܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܕܬܪܬܝܢ � ܡܘܣ ݂ܦ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܠ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

The ostrich 1 raises herself up, flutters about, 2 returns, and nests.

And she leaves her eggs 3 upon the earth, and she warms them upon the dust.



And she is forgotten because she has the feet of a bird,



She raises 4 chicks which are not her own,

   

and a wild animal of the earth crushes her.

and, though futile, she labors on without fear.

For God has increased wisdom, yet He has not allotted to her understanding. She would rise up in height as the date-palm;

she would scoff at the horse and his rider.

Have you given to the horse vigorous strength? And have you clothed his neck with armor?

Have you made him move about as a locust? Or have you threatened him with fear?



He paws the ground 5 in the valley and prances in the gorge,



He scoffs at a trench and does not fear,



Upon him the quiver is splendid,



In trembling and in wrath he gallops upon the earth;

and he goes out to the engagement in armor. and he does not retreat from the sword.

and the gleam 6 of the lance and the spear.

he is not afraid of the sound of the battle horn.

1 ‘ostrich’. For other possible attributions, see Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 69, 71); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 206). 2 ‘flutters about’: lit. ‘flies’. 3 ‘eggs’: lit. ‘daughters’. 4 ‘raises’: lit. ‘multiplies’. 5 ‘paws the ground’: lit. ‘digs’. 6 ‘gleam’ or ‘blade’.



‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫݁ܶ ̈ ܰ ܰ݁ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ ܳܘ ݂ܐܬ ܳ�ܐ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܘܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܓ ܟܢ ݂ܦܝ ܫܒܚܝܢ ܡ ݂ܬܪܘܪ ݂ܒܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܡܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ̇ܗ‪ .‬ܘܥܰܠ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܕ ܘܫ ݂ܒܩܐ ܥ�ܪܥܐ ݂ܒܢ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܶ�ܓ� ݁ܕܛ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܝ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܝܗ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰ� ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳ� ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܐ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܘ ܰܚ ܽܝܘ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ ݂ ܳܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܳ� ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܰ ݀ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܝܐ ݂ܕ� ܳ� ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܘ ܐܣܓܝ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳܺ ܶ ܰ ݀ ݁ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣܪܝܩܐ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ �ܝ ݂ܬ ܕ� ݂ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ‪ .‬ܘ� ݂ܦܠ ܰ ݂ܓ ܳ� ̇ܗ ݁ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܙ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܣܓܝ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂‬ ‫݁ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܚ ܒܡܪ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܬ ܺܪܝܡ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܶܕܩ�‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܬܶ ݂ܓ ܰܚ ݂ܟ ܥܰܠ ܽܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܣܝܐ‪ :‬ܘܥܰܠ ܳܪ ݂ܟ ݁ ܶܒܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܒܫ ܰܐܢ ݁ܬ ܰܨ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܬܐ‪ܰ .‬‬ ‫ܘܪܗ ܰܙ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܛ ܝܳ ܶܗ ݂ܒ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܠܣܘܣܝܐ ݂ܓܢ̱ܒܪ ݂‬ ‫ܘܡ ݁ ܶ ̱‬ ‫ܺ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰܶ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟ ܡܙܝܥ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܠܗ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܩܡܨ ܐ‪ .‬ܐܘ ݂‬ ‫ܡܕܚ�ܢ̱ܬ ܠܗ ܒ ݂ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܐ ܳܚ ݂ ܰܦܪ ݁ܒ ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܩܐ‪ܳ ݂ :‬ܘܕܐܨ ݁ܒ ܰܢܚ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܘܢ ݂ ܶܦܩ ܽ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܥܐ ݂ܒ ܰܙ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܒ ݁ ܳܓ ܶܚ ݂ܟ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܨ ܐ‪ :‬ܘ� ݂ ܳܕ ܶܚܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܳܗ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܟ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ݁ ܰ ̈ܦܝ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܩܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܩܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܫܬ ݁ܒ ܳܚܐ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܡ‬ ‫ܟܓ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܚܐ ܰܘ݂ܕ ܰܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܙܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܫ�ܗ ݂ܒ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓܙ ܐ ܪܗܛ ܥ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܒܙ ݂‬ ‫ܘܥܬܐ ܘ ݂ܒܪ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ݂ ܳܕ ܶܚܠ ܶܡܢ ܳܩ� ݂ܕ ܰܩ ܳܪܢܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘Do you know the season when the gazelles 1 give birth among the rocks, and the hinds conceive?

     

Can you count 2 the number of months, and do you know the due date for their delivery, and when they crouch down and give birth, and their calves are reared and are weaned?

Who has let the wild ass free and released the yoke from him?

For he has made the plain his abode, and his camp is in the salt-land.

He scoffs at the many cities, and he does not fear the voice of the magistrates. 3



On many mountains is his pasture,



Perhaps the wild ox 4 can be persuaded to work for you?



Perhaps you can tether a yoke on the neck of the wild ox?

 

and he tramples upon every green thing.

Or perhaps he can spend the night on your road? 5 Or can he lead a plow in a rugged place?

Can you rely upon him because of his great strength? And can you leave your work for him?

Can you trust that he will clean out your barn 6 and gather up your seed?

‘gazelles’: poss. ‘ibex’ or ‘wild goat’ (Capra aegagrus aegagrus). 2 ‘count’: lit. ‘keep’. 3 ‘magistrates’ or poss. ‘masters’. 4 ‘wild ox’: poss. ‘aurochs’ (Bos primigenius). 5 ‘your road’: LP and many MSS read ‘your stable’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 6 ‘barn’ or ‘threshing floor’. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܠܛ‪.‬‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕܝܳ ̈� ݁ ܳܕܢ ݁ ܰܕ ̈� ܳܨ ݂ܬܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܛܢ̈ܢ ܐܝ ̈ܠ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐܢ ݁ܬ ݂ ܰܙܒܢ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܢ ܰܛܪ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܶܡ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܰܝ� ܶܚܐ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܘܠ ݂ܕ ܶܗܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ݁ ܳܒ� ݁ ܳܟܢ ܘܝܳ� ݁ ܳܕܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܬ ܰܪ ݁ ܶܒܝܢ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܝ ܶܗܝܢ‪ܶ :‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܬ ܰܚܣܠܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܪ ܳܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܒܪ ܺܚܐ ܺ�ܝܢ‪ܰ ݂ .‬‬ ‫ܘܦܠ ܶܛ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܺܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܒܩ ܳ ݂‬ ‫݁ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪ܰ ݂ :‬‬ ‫ܘܒ ݂ܐܬ ܳܪ ܐ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܚܐ ܰܡܫܪܝ ܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܬܐ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܦܩ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕ ܽܩܘ� ܳ�ܐ‪ .‬ܘ� ݂ ܳܕ ܶܚܠ ܶܡܢ ܳܩ� ݂ܕ ܰܫ ܺ� ̈ܝܛܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܳܓ ܶܚ ݂ܟ ܥܠ ܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܽ ܳ ݁ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ܕܛܘ� ܐ ܡܪܥ ݂‬ ‫ܒܣ ݂‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪܩ ݁ ܳܕܐܫ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܝ‬ ‫ܠܡܐ ܶܡ ݁ܬ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܛܦܝܣ ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ ݂ܕܢܶ ݂ܦ� ܳܚ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܚ ݂ܟ ݁ ܳܒܐ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܕܠܡܐ ܥ‬ ‫ܠܡܐ ܳܐ ܰܣܪ ܰܐܢ ݁ܬ ܺܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܶܠܗ ݁ܕ ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܥܰܠ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ݁ ܳܕ ݂ ܰܒܪ ݁ ܰܦ ݁ ܳܕ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ܐܬ ܳܪ ܐ ܥܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܩܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓܝ ܰܚܝܠ ܶܗ‪ܳ .‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ � ݂ܘܬ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡ ݁ܬܬ ݂ܟ�ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܘܫ ݂ ܶܒܩ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܡܕ ݁ ܶܟܐ ܶܐ݁ܕ ܳܪ ݂ܟ‪ܰ .‬ܘܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܢ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܥ ݂ܟ ܳܚ ܶܡܠ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ ܰܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܩ ̈ܝ ݂ ܶܦܐ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

  

Who has given food to the lion, and has satisfied the life 1 of the young lions? Who has multiplied the wildlife in the field? 2

And who has given to the raven its food?

Because its hatchlings cry out to God,

and they are fatigued from lack of food.’

‘life’: lit. ‘soul’. 2 Compare with Genesis 1:30. 1



‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܬܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܰܕܐ� ܰܝ ܳܘ ݂ܬܐ‬ ‫ܠܛ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ �ܪ�ܐ ܡܐ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܐ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܓܝ ܰܚ ܽܝܘ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܘܠܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܪܒܐ ܡ ݂ܐܟ‬ ‫ܡܐ ܘ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܝܳ ܶܗ ݂ܒ �ܥ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܳܓܥ ܶܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܺ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ�ܝ ݂ܝܦܝܢ ܡܢ ܒܠܝ ܡܐ ݂ܟ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܰܣ ݁ ܰܒܥ‪.‬‬

Ch. 

  

to bring down rain upon the uninhabited earth, and in the unpeopled wilderness; to satiate every bush, and to make the germinating grass sprout up?

Does the rain have a father? Or, who has given birth to the water droplets?



And as for dew and ice, from whose womb did they emerge?



The waters become as hard as stones,

  

And as for the covering of heaven, 1 who begot it? 2 and they hold fast the surface of the depths.

Are you holding fast the Pleiades? Or have you observed the path of Orion?

Behold, can you bring out Ursa Minor in its season? Or are you caring for Aldebaran?

Do you know the celestial law? Or are you establishing law upon the earth?



Can you raise your voice up to the clouds,



Can you send out lightning bolts, and they go out,



Who has established wisdom in secret?



Who, by His wisdom, has counted the clouds?



Who has poured forth soil upon the earth?

and can you conceal them with a great quantity of water? and they say to you, “Behold, we are standing by!” Or, who has given an idea 3 to the intelligence? And who has set into place the pillars of the heaven? And who has prepared the bedrock? 4

‘covering of heaven’: lit. ‘helmet of heaven’; Syr. qaʾsdā (Greek κασσίς), perhaps ‘frost’. For various interpretations see Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 69); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 206). 2 ‘begot it’: lit. ‘begot’. 3 ‘idea’: lit. ‘vision’. 4 ‘bedrock’ (pl.) or ‘cliffs’. 1



‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ܒ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܘ ܠܡܚ ݂ܬܘ ܡܛܪ ܐ ܥ‬ ‫ܶܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܙ ܰܠܡ ܰܣ ݁ ܳܒ ܽܥܘ ݂ ܽܟܠ ܝܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܪ ܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ� ܽܝܘ ܰܡ ݁ܦ ܳܩ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ݂ܕܐܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰܽ ܰ ܶ ܽ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܛܦ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐ ݂ ܳܒܐ ܠܡܛܪ ܐ‪ .‬ܐܘ ܡܢܘ ܐܘܠ ݂ܕ �ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܟܚ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܣܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܛ ܳ� ܰܘ ݂ܓܠ ܺ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܛ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ ܰܩ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݂ܕ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܺܟܐ ݂ ̈ܦܐ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܰܩ ܶܫܝܢ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܐ ݁ ܰ ̈ܦܝ ݁ܬ ܽܗ ̈ܘ ܶܡܐ ܳܐ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܕܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܡܐ‪ܰ .‬ܐܘ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫� ܳܐ ܶܚ ݂ܕ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܒܐ ݁ ܰ ̈ܦܝ ݁ ܺܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܒܝܠ ݁ ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙ ݁ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ݁ ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ݂ܒ ܶ� ݁ ܳܕ ܳܢ ̇ܗ‪ .‬ܐܘ ܳܩܐܡ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܒܐ ݁ ̈ܦܝ ܺ� ܽܝ ݂ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܒ ܗܐ ݂ܬܦܩ ܥ ݂ܓ‬ ‫ܘܣܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ‪ܰ :‬ܐܘ ܳܣܐܶܡ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܳܢ ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܣܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܳܢ ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܥ�ܢ̈ܐ ܳܩܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܪܝܡ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܥܰܠ‬ ‫ܠܕ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܟܣܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ �ܗܝܢ ݁ܒܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܗ ܡ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܒ� ܶܩܐ ܳܘ ܺܐܙ ̱ܠܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܝܢ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ܕ ܳܗܐ ܳܩ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܡܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܶܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܘ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܣܡ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ܶܚ ܳܙܘܐ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܽ ܳ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܥ�ܢ̈ܐ ݂ܒ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܙ ܡܢܘ ܡܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܰ ܽܡ ̈ܘ݂ ܰܕܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܐ ܺܩܝܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܽ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܚ ܡܢܘ ܢܣ ݂ܟ ܥ ݂ܦܪ ܐ ܥ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܩ ̈ܝ ݂ ܶܦܐ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ܬ ܶܩܢ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

In 1 your days, have you commanded the dawn?

Do you know where is the place of the morning,

so as to grab hold by the edges of the earth and the wicked would be cast out from it?



And their body will be changed as clay,



From sinners, their light is held back,

  

and they will stand out as does a garment. and their upraised arm is broken.

Have you entered into the valleys 2 of the sea, and strolled in the foundations of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, and the gates of the shadows of death?

You have observed the entire extent of the earth! Show me, should you know it:



in which direction 3 does the light dwell,



if you know its boundary and the pathway to its home; 4

and where is the place of darkness —



if you know when you were born,



Have you entered the storerooms of snow?

  

and if the number of your days should be many? And have you seen the storehouses of hail,

which are held in reserve for the season of calamity, and for the day of the contest of battle?

Or in which direction is the light dispersed, and the wind goes out upon the earth,

and becomes vision and sound —

‘In’: lit. ‘From’. ‘valleys’ or ‘depths’. 3 ‘direction’: lit. ‘road’. 4 ‘the pathway to its home’: lit. ‘the pathway of its home’. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܝܒ ܶܡܢ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡ ݁ܝܟ ݁ܦ ܰܩ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ ܰ‬ ‫�ܨ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܐ ݁ ܳܝܕ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ݁ ܽܕ ݁ܘܟ ݂ܬܗ ݁ܕ ܰܫ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪ .‬ܘܢܶ ݁‬ ‫ܠܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܚ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ݂ ܶܟܢ̈ ݂ ܶܦ ̇‬ ‫ܫܬ݁ ܽܕܘܢ ܶܡ ܳܢ ̇ܗ ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܕ ܘܢܶ ݂ܬܗ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܟ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܛܺ ܳܝܢܐ ܽܓܘܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽܢܩ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܘܢ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܗ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܟ ܶ� ܶܡܢ ܰܚ ܳܛ ̈ܝܶܐ ܽܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܪܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ݂ܕ ܳܪ ܳܥܐ ܳܪ ܳܡܐ ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܰܒܪ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܰܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܬ ܽ‬ ‫�� ̈ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܣ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܬ ܽܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘ ܥܰ ݁‬ ‫ܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܕܝܡܐ‪ .‬ܘ ݂ܒܫ ݂‬ ‫ܡܩ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ̈‬ ‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܙ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܓܠܝܘ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ܬ�ܥ ܶܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ‪݂ :‬ܘܬ�ܥ ܶܐ ݁ܕܛܠܠ ܰܝ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ݁ܽ ܶ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܝܳ ̇ܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪ܰ .‬ܚ ܳܘ ̱ܢܝ ܐܢ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܚ ܚܙܝܬ ܟܠܗ ܦ ݂‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝܕ ܐ ܐ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܛ ݁ ܰܒ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܰܐ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܗ ݁ܕ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ݂ܕܘܟ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܒܝ� ݂ܕ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܟ ܐܢ ܝ ݂ܕܥ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܬܚܘܡܗ‪ :‬ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܐ ܶܘܐܢ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܐ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܐ ݂ܬܝܠ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡ ݁ܝܟ ܐܢ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ܺܝܐܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܒ ܥܰ ݁‬ ‫ܠܬ ܰ�ܘܨ ܶ� ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܬ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܓܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܐܘܨ ܶ� ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ ܳܪܕ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙܝܢ ܳܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܢܛ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܬ ݂ܟ ݁ ܽܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘ�ܨ ܳܢܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܓ ܕ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝܕ ܐ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܐ ܶܡܬ ݁ ܰܦܠ ܰܓ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ܥܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܰܐܘ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪ܳ .‬ܘܢ ݂ܦ ܳܩܐ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁‬ ‫ܒ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳܳ‬ ‫ܘܩ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܗ ܘܗܘܐ ܚܙܘܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

XII

 

Chapter  Yet the Lord answered Job from the storm:

‘Who is this, who considers counsel by speeches devoid of knowledge?



Gird up your loins, I implore, like a champion!



Where were you when I set in order the foundations of the earth?



Who has set down its measurement, if you know?

  



I will question you. Instruct me! 1

Show me, if you have understanding! 2

And who has stretched out a measuring line upon it?

Upon what are its ends established? Or who hurled down a stone upon its corners?

He created the morning stars altogether, and the entire angelic host 3 shouted for joy. He shut up the gates of the sea,

and He caused it to gush from the womb, and He brought it forth as He intended. 4

He made the cloud for its clothing and the thick fog its swaddling band.



And He made a covenant 5 for it,



And I said, “Until here you shall reach and not add more,

and He made gates and bolts.

so here you shall remain in the magnificence of your waves.”

‘Instruct me’: lit. ‘(You) let me know’. ‘have understanding’: lit. ‘know understanding’. 3 ‘angelic host’: lit. ‘sons of angels’. 4 ‘intended’ or ‘ordained’: lit. ‘set up’. See Elihu’s speech in Job 37:15. 5 ‘covenant’ or ‘standing’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܨܚ ܝܒ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܠܚ‪.‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳܳ‬ ‫���‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܡܪ � ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܡܢ ܥ‬ ‫ܘܥܢܐ ܡܪ�ܐ ܘ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ̈ܶ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ܒܡ� ݂ܕ� ܝ ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܡܢܘ ܗܢܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ܬܪܥܐ ݂ܬܪܥ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐ ܽܣܘܪ ܺܢܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܚ ܰܨ ܝ ̈ ݁ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܐ ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ݂ܟ ܰܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܕܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܐ ̈ܣ ̇‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܫ ݂‬ ‫ܗܘ ݁ܝܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ܶܩܢ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰܚ ܳܘ ̱ܢܝ‪ܶ :‬ܐܢ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܚܬ ̇ܗ ܐܢ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪܡܝ ܡܫ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܬܚ ܥܠ ܶ ̇‬ ‫ܝܗ ܽܚܘܛܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ܽܢܘ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܥܰܠ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܩܡ ̱ܘ ܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ܶ� ̇ܝܗ‪ܰ .‬ܐܘ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܕ ܐ ݂ ܺܟܐ ݂ ܳܦܐ ݂ܒ ܳܙ ̈ܘܝܳ ݂ܬ ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫݁ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܟ ̈ܘ ݁ܟ ݂ ܰܒܝ ܰܫ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܽ ݂ .‬‬ ‫ܘܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܰܡ� ݂ ܶܟܐ ܰܝ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܓܪ ݁ܬ�ܥܰܝ ܝܰ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܐܓܝܚ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ݁ܪܒ ܳܥܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܦܩ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܳܣܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܶܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܥ� ܳܢܐ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܳ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܦ� ݂ܟ ܳܪ ݂ܟ ݁ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܫܗ‪ :‬ܘܥ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܶܠܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܝ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܬ�ܥ ܶܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣ ݁ܘܟ ܶ� ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ݁ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܛܐ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ݂ ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܦ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ �ܗܪܟܐ ݂ܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘ ܳܗ ݁ ܳܪܟܐ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰܟ ݁ܬܪ ݁ܒ ܰ ݂ܓ ܽܐܝ ݂ܘܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܰܓ ̱ܠ ܰ� ̈ܝ ݁ܟ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

The Almighty, 1 great in power and judgment

and Chief of the Innocent, He will not answer!

Therefore, let humanity fear, and let all the wise of heart tremble before Him.’

‘The Almighty’: punct. difference; LP and many MSS read with previous verse: ‘A mighty light from God. Great in power’.

1



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܟܓ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ‪ܰ :‬ܣ ݁ ܺܓܝ ܰܚ ܳܝ� ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪ ݁ܒ ܰܙ ݁ ܳܟ ܺ̈ܝܝܢ � ܢܶܥܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܕ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ݂ܕܚܠܽܘܢ ܐ ܳܢ ܺ̈ܫܝܢ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܽܢܙ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܥܘܢ ܶܡܢܶܗ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܰܚ ݁ ܺܟ ̈ܝ ܰܡܝ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



And He is going about and turning Himself around to perform His plans, 1 everything that He orders for those upon His inhabited world —



whether for rulers, or for the earth, or for the pious who is found on it.



Attend to this, Job, and hear,



Listen, do you know what God has ordained for them,



Do you know the parting of the clouds,



Would you dry out your clothes,



and understand the wonders of God!

and that He has revealed the light of His clouds?

and the wonders of Him who is without fault in knowledge? and turn the earth away from the South wind? 2

And would you, with Him, fix in place the mighty firmament, to buttress it together?



Instruct me what I can say to Him,



Recount back to Him what He has said,



And now they do not see the light;

and we will not hide before the darkness. and if a man would speak out, he shall be devoured. it is shining in the firmament of heaven,

and the wind will pass over and purify them.



From the north, gold will come; and from God, light.

‘His plans’: lit. ‘plans’. 2 ‘South wind’ or ‘South’. See Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 65); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 206). 1



‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܒ‬

‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܘ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ܟ ܶܪ ݂ܟ‪ܶ :‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܬ ܰܗ ݁ ܰܦ ݂ܟ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܡܚ ̈ܫ ݂ ܳܒܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫݁ ܽܟܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܦ ܶܩ ݂ܕ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܥܰ� ݁ ̈ܦܝ ݁ܬ ݂ ܶܒܝ� ܶܪܥܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܫ ܺ� ̈ܝ ܳܛܢܶܐ ܶܘܐܢ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݁‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘܐܢ ܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܣ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬ ݂ ܰܟܚ ݁ ܳܒ ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽܨ ݂ܘܬ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝܢ ݁ܬ݂ܶܕܡ ܳ� ݂ܬܶܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ܕ ܳܣܡ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰܘܓ ܳ� ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܥ� ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܝ ݂ܕܥ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܡܦܩܐ ݂ܕܥ�ܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ݁ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܬ݂ܕܡ� ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ݂ܕ� ܡܘܡ ܒ ݂ܝܕ ݂‬ ‫ܠܒ ̈ܘ ܰܫ ݁ܝܟ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫݂ܽ‬ ‫ܚܡܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܰܫܢܶܐ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܥܐ ܰܬ ܺܩ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫݂ܘܬܶ ܽܪܩܘܥ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ ܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ‪ܰ :‬ܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܣ ܳܡ ݂ ܽܟܘ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪܩ ܳ ݂‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܕܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܬ ݁ ܰܬܪ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܐܫܬܥ ܶܐ ܶܠܗ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܺܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪ :‬ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܒܠ ܰܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܙܘ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܢ ܺܗܝܪ ܽܗܘ ݂ ܰܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܥܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܽܶ‬ ‫ܘܪܘܚܐ ݂ܬܥܒܪ ܘ ݂ܬ ݂ܕܟܐ ܐܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܒܐ ܺܢ ݂ܐܬܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܡܢ ݁ܓܪܒܝܐ ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘Moreover, at this his heart should stir and jolt from its place.



Hear carefully, His voice in anger,



under the whole heaven, they shall praise Him,



Afterwards, 1 He will thunder with the voice of His magnificence,



because they will listen to His speech.

the verdict that goes out from His mouth:

and His light is upon the very ends of the earth!

and He will not pursue them

For God will thunder in His voice;

He performs wonders and great things, yet He is not recognized.



Because he said to the snow, “Become earth!”



that He might make known His deeds to all people,



And He sealed up the rain and the rainy season by everyone 2

and the wild animal might enter the den and stay in its lair.



From the chambers, the storm comes;



And from the breath of God, ice is given;



from the rain storm, the frost.

He 3 causes the many waters to pour down.

And quietly, the clouds are being stretched out, and He spreads out the clouds of His light.

‘Afterwards’: lit. ‘after him’ or ‘after it’ (masc.). LP and some MSS read ‘in his place’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 2 ‘by everyone’: lit. ‘by the hand of all people’. 3 ‘He’ or ‘it’ (masc.). 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܠܙ‪.‬‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܥܰܠ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܙܺܝܥ ܶܠ ݁ ܶܒܗ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܽܢܙܘܥ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܕ ݁ܘܟ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܳܙ ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ̱ܘ ܡܫܡܥ ܩܠܗ ݁ܒܪ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ܕ ܳܢ ݂ ܶܦܩ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰܢܫ ݁ܒ ܽܚܘܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܬ ܶܚ ݂‬ ‫ܽܘܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪܗ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܶܟܢ̈ ݂ ܶܦ ̇‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ ܢܶܪܥܰܡ ݁ܒ ܳܩ� ݂ܕ ݂ܰܓ ܽܐܝ ݂ܘܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܢܥܰ ܶܩ ݂ܒ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕܢܶܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܥܘܢ ܳܩܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܢܶܪܥܰܡ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܒ ܳܩܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫݁ܬܶܕܡ ܳ� ܳܬܐ ܳܥ ܶܒܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬܐ‪ :‬ܘ� ܶܡ ݂ܬܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ ݂ ݂ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓܐ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܗ ܺܘܝ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܛܪ ܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫� ܳܢܫ ܚ ݂ܬܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳ ݂‬ ‫ܪܒܝܥܐ ܪ ݁ ܳܒܐ ݁ܒ ܰܝ ݂ܕ ݁ܟ ̱‬

‫ܘܕܥ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫� ܳܢܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫݁ܕ ܰܢ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ ܰܕ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܟ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ݁ܽ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܬ ܽܥܘܠ ܚܝܘ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܟܡܐܢܐ‪݂ .‬ܘܬܫܪ ܐ ݂ܒܡܪܒܘܥ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳ̈ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܢ ܬܘܢܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܐܬܐ ݂ܟ ݂ܘܟ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܽܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܙܪ ݂ܝܦ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܝ ܶܗ ݂ܒ ݁ܓܠ ܺ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܬܗ ܕܐܠܗܐ ܢ ݂‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܢܫ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ ܰܡ ܶܚ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܥ�ܢ̈ܶܐ ܕ ܽܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟ ܺܐܝܬ ܶܡܬ ܰ ̈ܡܬ ܳܚܢ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܪ ݁ ܺܟ ݂ ܳ ݂ ݂ ݂‬ ‫ܥ�ܢ̈ܐ‪݂ :‬ܘܦ ܶܪܣ ܳ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

  

And humankind has seen it 1 and has looked on from a distance.

Listen, God is mighty, but He is not known; to count His years, there is no limit.

If we would count the pillars of the sky and fashion the drops of rain alone — which the skies release in season,



and the clouds sprinkle down upon human beings so they greatly rejoice —



who can comprehend?



He spread out His light above them,

  

He has spread out the clouds from the expanse of His rooftop. and He concealed the foundation of the sea.

Because by these He shall judge the peoples and provide food to many. And by hands He shall stretch out 2 the light;

it should emerge upon them, so they should happen upon it.

He would display His possession to His friends and also to the reprobate.’

‘it’ (masc.) or ‘Him’. 2 ‘stretch out’ or ‘conceal’. 1



‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܟܗ ܰܘ ̈ܒ ܰܢܝ ܐ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ ܺܐܕܝܩ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܩܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ̱‬ ‫݂ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܟܘ ܳܗܐ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܬ ܺܩ ݂ܝܦ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‪ :‬ܘ� ܶܡ ݂ܬܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܫ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܽܣ ݂ܘܦ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܽܨܘܪ ܽ� ̈ܘ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܛܦܝ ܶܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ‪ܶ :‬‬ ‫ܟܙ ܶܐܢ ܢܶܡܢܶܐ ܥܰ ܽܡ ̈ܘ݂ ܰܕܝ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܛܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܕ ̱‬ ‫݁ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܬܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ݂ܒ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܡ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ݁ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܚ ܘ� ܳܣܢ ܥ�ܢܐ ܥܠ ܒܢܝ ܐ̱ܢܫܐ‪ :‬ܘ�ܪܘܙܘܢ ܪܘ ݂‬ ‫ܪܒܐ ݂‬ ‫ܟܛ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܽܢܘ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ̈ܶ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܛܠܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܦܪܣ ܥ�ܢܐ ܡܢ ܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ܽܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܠ ݁ܦ ܰܪܣ �ܥ ܶܠ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܐܫܬܗ ݁ܕܝܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܟ ܺܣܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܠܬܐ‬ ‫� ܶܡܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܽܗܘܢ ݂ ܽܢܕܘܢ ܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐ‪ .‬ܘܢܶ ݁ܬܠ ܡܐ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫� ̈ܝ ܰܕ ܳ�ܐ ܰܢܟ ܶܣܐ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܒ ܘܥܰ ݂ ݂‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݁ ܽܦܘܩ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ݁ܕܢܶ ݂ܦ ݁ܓ ܽܥܘܢ ݁ ܶܒܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܳܶ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܰܢܚ ܶܘܐ � ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫�� ̈ܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶܩ ܳܢ�ܢܶܗ‪ܳ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܦ‬ ‫ܚܡ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



And their soul shall die in youth, and their lives, in famine.



The humble shall be saved by his own humility,



And He shall also save you from the mouth of the oppressor,

and He shall reveal their way through calamity.

and give rest 1 instead of distress,

and prepare a table full of fatness.



But He shall judge the wicked in fullness to judgment,



In the heat of battle, He shall not provoke you, 2



He shall be firm over you, to save you,



or by the affliction which is in the night.

and in judgment they shall be caught.

and He shall not cause you miss out on the abundance of salvation.

and you shall not be distressed by all the strong ones of power, He shall deliver up peoples instead of you, and nations instead of your soul.



Beware that you do not turn to iniquity,



God is strong in power.



Who has ordered His ways?



Remember that His works are numerous,

because this is why you are being tested by poverty. Who can teach like Him? And who has said to Him, “You have done wrong”? and all people have praised Him.

‘give rest’: lit. ‘rest’. 2 ‘In the heat of battle, He shall not provoke you’ or poss. ‘He will not provoke you by the heat of battle’. 1



‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܰ ܽ ܰ ܽ ݁ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܐ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ܰ� ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ܒ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܦ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܕ ܘ ݂ܬܡ ݂ܘܬ ܢ ݂ܦܫܗܘܢ ܒܥܠܝܡ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ܺ ܳ ܰ ݁ܺ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܟ ݂ܘܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܗ ܢܫܬܘܙ ݂ܒ ܡܟ ݂ܝܟܐ ݂ܒܡܟ ݂‬ ‫ܘܢܶܓ ܶ� ܐ ܽ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܗܘܢ ݁ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘ�ܨ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܙܒ ݂ܟ ܶܡܢ ݁ܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘ ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܰܢܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ ܰܕܡܥܝܩ ܳܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ݁ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܪܘܚܬܐ ܚܠ ݂ܦ ܥ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܡ� ݂ ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢ ݂ܬܩܢ ܦ ݂ܬܘܪ ܐ ݂ܟ ݂ܕ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܙ ܰܘ ݂ ܽܢܕܘܢ � ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫�ܝܐ ݂‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܬ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܕܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܓ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܚ ܒܚ ݂‬ ‫ܢܓ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ݂ܕܩܪ ݂ܒܐ � ܰ ݂‬ ‫ܐܘܬ ݁ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܢܶܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܩ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܩ ݂ܟ ܥܰܠ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ܽܝ ݂‬ ‫ܝܛ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܩ ݂ܦ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ܝܟ ݁ܕܢܶ ݂ܦܪ ܳܩ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ݂ܬ ܽܥܘܩ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܟܠ ݁ܬ ܺܩ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܦܝ ܰܚܝ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܩܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܠ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݁ܬܠ ܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܚ ܳ� ݂ ܰܦ ݁ܝܟ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘܐ ̈ܡ ܳܘ ݂ܬܐ ܚܠ ݂ܦ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܐ ܐ ݁ ܰܙܕ ݇ܗܪ ݁ܕ� ݂ܬ ݂ܬ ݁ܦܢܶܐ ܥܰܠ ܥܰܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܶ ݁ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܣܟ ܽܢ ݂ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ܳܗ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ݁ܓܝܪ ܐ ݂ܬܒܚܪܬ ܒܡ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܟܒ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܡܥܰ ܶܫܢ ݁ܒ ܰܚܝ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܽ ܺ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐ ݂ܟ ܳܘ ݂ܬܗ ݁ܕ ܰܡܠ ݂ܦ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܢܘ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܟܓ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ܦ ܰܩ ݂ܕ ܥܰ�ܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܽܢܘ ܶܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ ܥܰܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܕ ܶܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ݇ܟܪ ݁ܕ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ܺܝܐܝܢ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ ܰܕ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܫ ݁ܒ ܽܚ ̱‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

    

Elihu added:

Chapter 

‘Bear with me for a little while and I shall show you,

because there are yet words to be spoken on God’s behalf. 1

I shall acquire my knowledge from afar and attribute righteousness to my Maker! Truthfully, however, my words are false,

but my knowledge is faultless with you.

Listen, the Almighty God — He does not reject the one who is pure as milk.



The reprobate is not living,



The one who is righteous does not perish from before His eyes;

  

so He finds in favor of the poor.

He seats kings upon the throne, and they are raised up forever.

And if they be shackled in chains, they descend to poverty in desolation. And He shall show them their works and their offences about which they have boasted.

And He shall open their ear to discipline and ask that they return from iniquity.



If they shall hear and do so,



But if they shall not listen, they will depart in destruction;



they shall complete their days with good things and their years in pleasure. they shall come to an end without knowledge.

And the godless in heart shall come to an end, and they shall not lament; they shall cry out in anger when He binds them.

1

‘spoken on God’s behalf’: lit. ‘there are to God words’.



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫ܠܘ‪.‬‬

‫ܐܘܣ ݂ܦ ܶܐ ܺܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗܘ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܰ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܺܠܝ ܰܩܠܺܝܠ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܚ ܶܘ ݂ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟ‬ ‫ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ ̈ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬ �ܠܗܐ ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ ݂ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚܩܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬ ̱ܝ ܶܡܢ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ݂ ܽܒ ݂ܘܕ ̱ܝ ܐ ݁ܬܠ ܙܶ ݂ܕ ܳܩܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܩܘܠ ܺܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ ݁ ܳܕ ݂̈ܓܠܢ ̈ܡܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬ ̱ܝ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ݂ܕ� ܽܡܘܡ ܺ ̱ܗܝ ܺܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰܳ ܳ ܰܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܣ� ܰ� ܳܝܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܟܐ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܚ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫�ܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܐ ܐܠܗܐ ܥܫܝܢܐ‪ � .‬ܡ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ� ܳܘ� � ܳܚ ܶܝܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܕ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫݂ܺ‬ ‫ܠܒ ̈ܝ ܶܫܐ ܝܳ ܶܗ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ� ݂ܶܓܝܪ ܳ�ܢܶ ݂ܕ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܳܝܩܐ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܝܡܝܢ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܺܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܪܣܝܐ‪ܶ .‬‬ ‫ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܶ ݂ܒ ܰܡ ̈� ݁ ܶܟܐ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܟ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܺ ܺ ݁ ܺ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܳ ݁ܺ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܟ ܽܢ ݂ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܒ� ܠܡ‬ ‫ܘܐܢ ܐܣܝܪܝܢ ܒܫܫܠ ݂ܬܐ‪ :‬ܢܚܬܝܢ ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰܢܚ ܶܘܐ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ ܰܕ ܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܟ ̈� ܳܘ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪ :‬ܥܰܠ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܰܒܪ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ ܺ ܰ ݁ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܬ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܒܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܥܰܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܓ� ܐ݂ܕ ܽܢܗܘܢ ܠܡܪܕ ݂ܘܬܐ‪ .‬ܘܢܐܡܪ ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܡܥܘܢ ܘܢܶ ݁ܥܒ ݂ ܽܕܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܫ� ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܓܡܪܘܢ ܝܘܡܝܗܘܢ ܒܛ ݂ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܳ� ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܡܥܘܢ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܒ ݂ܐܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܳܢܐ ܺܢ ܽܐܙ ̱ܠܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܽ ݁ܳ ܺܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܣ ݂ܘܦܘܢ ܕ� ܝ ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܢܣ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܦܘܢ‪ :‬ܘ� ܢܶ ݂ܓ ܽܥܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ܰܚ� ݁ ܰܦܝ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒܐ ܽ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܶ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܣܘܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓܙ ܐ ܢ ݂ܓܥܘܢ ܟ ݂ܕ ܢ‬ ‫ܒܪ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Because of the pride of the wicked, God does not hear for nothing,



And even if you have said that you cannot praise Him,



For now, He does not invoke His wrath,



Yet, Job has opened his mouth to no avail,

neither does God praise it. 1

plead your case 2 before Him and petition Him. and He does not treat the soul badly.

and he multiplies words without knowledge.’

‘it’ (fem.), poss. ‘pride’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 2 ‘plead your case’: lit. ‘judge’. 1



‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫ܰ‬ ‫݁ܰ ܽ ܳ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬ � ܳܫ ܰܡܥ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ܓܐܝ ݂ܘܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒܝܫܐ ܣܪܝܩܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ� ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܡ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܒܚ ܳ� ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳܘ ݂ܐܦܢ ܐ ܰܡܪܬ � ݂ܬ ܰܫ ݁ܒ ܺܚܝ ̱‬ ‫݁ ܽܕܘܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܰܫ ݂ܦ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܶܙܗ‪:‬‬ ‫݁ܕܗ ܳܫܐ � ݂ܦܩ ݂ܕ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܰܡ ݂ ܶܒܐܫ ܰ‬ ‫�ܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܳܺ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚ ݁ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܺܘܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܣܪܝܩܐ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ ܦ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܶ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܓܐ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܬܐ ܡ‬ ‫ܘ݂ܕ� ݂ܒ ݂ܝܕ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Elihu said:

Chapter 



‘For this you were considered under judgment:



Should you have asked, “What will You 2 gain for Yourself?”



I shall answer you myself, in words, 3 and also your friends with you.



for you have said, “I am more just than God.” 1

and “What would be the benefit if I should condemn You?”

Observe the sky and examine the clouds that are higher up than you.



If you sin, what are you achieving against Him? 4



And if you are just, what are you profiting Him?



And if your iniquity increases, what effect can you have on Him?

Or what can He obtain from you?

Your wickedness is your own, and your righteousness is also your own. 5



They are lamenting because of great injustice,



And they do not ask, “Where is the God who has created us,

 

and many are crying out because of iniquity. who has provided meditation 6 in the night

before the wild animal of the earth, and He has made us wiser than the bird of the sky?” They are crying out there, but He does not answer them.

Job 32:2. 2 ‘You’: referent unclear, poss. God or Elihu. 3 ‘answer you myself, in words’: lit. ‘answer you words’. 4 ‘Him’: referent unclear in verses 6 and 7, poss. ‘it’ (masc.). 5 ‘your righteousness is also your own’: lit. ‘your soul’s righteousness’. 6 ‘meditation’ or ‘thought’. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܠܗ‪.‬‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܶܐ ܺܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫݁ܒ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ݁ܬ ݁ܒ ݂ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫݁ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡ ݁ܪܬ ܐ ݁ ܰܙܕ݁ܕ ܶܩ ݂ܬ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܢ ܐ ܰܡ ݁ܪܬ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܪ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܥܰܠ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫ ݂ܟ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܬ ܳܪ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܶܕ ܰܐܚ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܒ ݂ܟ ̈ܡ�‪ܳ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܦ � ܳ�ܚ ܰܡ ݁ܝܟ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܢܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽܚܘܪ ݁ ܰܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܩܐ ݂ ܰܒܥ ܳ�ܢ̈ܐ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܳܡܢ ܶܡ ܳܢ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܢ ܳܚܛܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪ܳ :‬ܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܥ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܳܣ ܶܓܐ ܥܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݂ܟ‪ܳ :‬ܡ ܳܢܐ ݂ܬܶ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܳܗ ܶܘܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕܝܩ‪ܳ :‬ܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܪ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܶܠܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܢ ܶܣ ݂ܒ ܶܡ ܳܢ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫ ݂ܟ ܽܗܘ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܥ ݂ܟ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫ ݂ܟ ܺ ̱ܗܝ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܽܝܩ ݂ܘܬ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ ܰܕܛܠܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܝܐ ܰܡܝܠܝܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܡܢ ܣ ܳ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܓܥ ܶܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܥܰܘ� ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟܘ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܕܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ܒܠ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܕܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ܡܚܫ ݂ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰܚ ݁ܟ ܰܡܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܢ ݂‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܚܝܘ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕܐܪܥܐ‪ :‬ܘܡܢ ܦܪ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ݁ ܳܓܥ ܶܝܢ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ܳ�ܢܶܐ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

Therefore, He knows them by their deeds, and He gives them over to the night.

They will be humiliated in a frightening place, underneath the perdition of their works.



For they have turned away from following Him; 1



The prayer of the poor arrives before Him;



And if He forgives, who can condemn?



For the godless and sinful one shall not rule over the nation,

they did not understand all of His ways.

He hears the lament of the wretched poor. And if He turns His face away, who can forgive the nation or a person altogether?



because God has said,



Teach me if I have done wrong.





“I have forgiven. I am not destroying without sins.”

I will not continue to respond to you 2 about how you sinned.

For you have been examined and not I. And whatever you know — speak out!

People of understanding 3 should speak to me, and a wise man should listen to me.



Job speaks out lacking knowledge,



Truly, Job has been examined to the very end,



But if he adds to his sins, guilt will be borne 4 among us,

and his words lack understanding.

and he is not counted among the reprobate. so he should bring his words before God.’

‘following Him’: lit. ‘after him’. ‘respond to you’: lit. ‘give you an answer’. 3 ‘understanding’: lit. ‘heart’. 4 ‘borne’: lit. ‘visited’ or ‘deposited’. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܥ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ ܰܕ ܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܗ ܶܡܛܠ ܗܢܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܟ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܠܠ� ܳܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ̈ܽ ݁ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܝܗܘܢ ܒ ݂ܐܬܪ ܐ ݂ܕܚܝ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܥܘ� ݂‬ ‫ܟܘ ܘܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ݁ܬ ܶܚ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܟܙ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܕܤܛܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܣܬ ݁ ܰܟܠ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܟ�ܗܝܢ ܐܘ�ܚ ݂ܬܗ � ܐ‬ ‫ܳܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܘܗܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܨܠ ݂ܘܬܶܗ ݁ܕ ܶܡ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܟ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܚ ܥܐ� ݂ ܳ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܓ ܳܥ ݂ܬܗ ݁ܕܥܰ ܳܢܘ ܳ�ܐ ܳܫ ܰܡܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܛ ܶܘܐܢ ܽܗܘ ܳܫ ݂ ܶܒܩ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܝ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܽܗܘ ܰܡ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܟ ܰܐ ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܫ ݂ ܶܒܩ �ܥܰ ܳܡܐ‪ܰ :‬ܐܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܛ ܳܝܐ �ܥܰ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠ ܕ� ܐܡܠ ݂ܟ ܐ̱ܢܫܐ ܚ�ܦܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܐ ܰܡܪ‪:‬‬ ‫� ܡܛܠ ܕ‬ ‫ܳ ܳܺ‬ ‫݁ܕ ܶܫ ݂ܒ ܶܩ ݂ܬ‪ܰ �ܳ :‬‬ ‫� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ� ܚܛ ̈ܗܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܚ ݁ ܶܒ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܐܢ ܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܬ ܥܰܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܒ ܐ ܶܠ ݂ ܰܦ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܛ ݁‬ ‫ܠܓ ݁ ܽܬ ݂ܘܒ ܳ� ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܦ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ܬܠ ܠ ݂ܟ ܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܓܡܐ ܥܠ ܕ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳܘ� ܶܐ ܳܢܐ‪ܶ .‬‬ ‫ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ ܶܓܝܪ ܶܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܺܩ ݁‬ ‫ܘܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ܕ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪ܰ :‬ܡܠܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܚ ݁ ܺܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܡܐ ܢܶܫܡܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܠܕ ܐ̱ܢ ܳܫܐ ݂ܕܠ ݁ܒܐ ܢܐܡܪܘܢ ܠܝ‪݂ܰ .‬‬ ‫ܺܽ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܬܐ‬ ‫ܠܗ ܐܝ ݂ܘܒ � ̱ܗܘܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܝܕ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܰ̈ ݁ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܠـܘ ̱ܗܝ � ̱ܗܘܝ ܒܣ‬ ‫ܠܘ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐ ܺܝܬ ܶܐܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܚܪ ܺܐ ܽܝܘܒ ܥܰܕ ܰܣ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ ݂‬ ‫݂ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܡ ݂ܬܚܫ ݂ܒ ܒ ̱ܐ ܢܫܐ �ܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܙ ܶܘܐܢ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܢ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܦ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܦ ܥܰܠ ܚܛ ܰܗ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪ :‬ܣ ݂ܟܠ ݂ܘܬܐ ݂ܒܝܢ ݂‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܶܡܠ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰܢܩ ܶܪ ݂ܒ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ـܘ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

Who has commanded the earth?

And who has created the whole inhabited world?

If God 1 turns His heart against him, his spirit and his breath will be gathered to Him.



All flesh comes to an end together,



And if you have understanding, hear these things —



The one who hates justice is not innocent.



he who spoke iniquity about the King,



He who is not partial to superiors, nor partial to the poor,



All of a sudden 3 they die,

and a human being returns to dust. listen to the sound of my words!

And if he were innocent, he 2 could not rightly be considered guilty — the King of rulers, the King of authorities;

because they are all the work of His hands.

and in the middle of the night they come to an end and are destroyed, so they come to know the Almighty, though not in power.



Because His eyes are on all the ways of a man,



There is no darkness and no shadows of death,

 

and He watches over all of his footsteps.

so that the workers of perdition might hide themselves there.

Because, moreover, He has not intended for a man to come alongside God in judgment; for He has caused misfortune to many, without limit,

and He shall establish others together instead of them.

‘God’: lit. ‘he’. ‘he’: referent is unclear, either ‘God’ or ‘man’. 3 ‘all of a sudden’: an idiomatic expression (see Acts 9:3 in Peshiṭta). 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܝܓ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ܦ ܰܩ ݂ܕ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܟ ܳ� ̇ܗ ݁ܬ ݂ ܶܒܝܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ݁ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܬܗ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬܗ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟܢ̈ ܳܫܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܠܒܗ‪ :‬ܪܘܚܗ ܘܢܫ ݂‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐܢ ܰܡ ݂ܦܢܶܐ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܗ ܳܣܐ ݂ܦ ݁ ܽܟܠ ݁ܒ ܰܣܪ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ �ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܳܗ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܘ ܶܘܐܢ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝܢ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܠܩ� ݂ܕ ̈ܡܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܨ ݂ܘܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܙ ܰܡܢ ݁ܕ ܳܣܢܶܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪ܳ � :‬ܙ ݂ ܶܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ܰܝ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܰܙ ݁ ܳܟܝ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‪ܺ ݂ � :‬ܟ ܳܐܢܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܥܰܠ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚ ݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܥܰܘ�‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܡܠ ݂ܶܟ ܺ� ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܢܶܐ ܡܠ ݂ܟ ܰܫ ܺ� ̈ܝܛܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܛ ݁ܕ� ܳܢ ܶܣ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܒܐ ݁ ̈ܦܝ ܰܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒܢܶܐ‪ .‬ܘ� ܳܢ ܶܣ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܒܐ ݁ ̈ܦܝ ܶܡ ̈ܣ ݁ ܺܟܢܶܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ݂‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ݁ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܫ�ܝܐ ܡ‬ ‫ܟ ܶܡܢ ݁ܬ ܶܚ ݂‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܳܣ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܓܗ ݁ܕ ܺܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܶܦ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܦܝܢ ܳܘ ݂ܐܒ ݁ ܺܕܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬ ݁ܘܕܥܺܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ‪݂ � :‬ܒ ܰܚܝ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܽ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬܗ ݁ܕ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܥܠ ܟ‬ ‫ܟܐ ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܟ ݂ܬܗ ܳܚ ܶܙ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܟ�ܗܝܢ ܗ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ̈ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܒ ܕ� ܚܫ ݂ܘܟܐ ܘ݂ܕ� ܛܠܠܝ ܡܘܬܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ݁ܬܛ ܳܫ ܽܝܘ ݂ܬ ܳܡܢ ܳܥ ݂ ̈ܒ ܰܕܝ ܥܰܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܟܓ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܽܬ ݂ܘܒ ܳ� ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܳܣܐܶܡ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܳܠ ݂ ܽܟܘ ܥܰܡ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܕ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܐ ݂ܕ� ܳܣ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܒܐܫ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺܢܩܝܡ ܰܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ݂ ܰܦ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Elihu said:

Chapter 



‘Hear my words, O wise ones,



For the ear tests words,



and listen to me, those who know. and the palate tastes food.

Let us pick for ourselves a judge, and let us discern what is good between us.



Job, you have said, “But I am innocent.” 1



Who is the one who has perished without fault?



For you have said, “I am just, 2 and it is God who has perverted my case against me.”

Who is a man, such as Job, who can drink up ridicule as waters?



But he has been an associate and colleague to workers of perdition,



For you have said, “A man is not innocent when he fears God.” 3



so to walk with sinful people!

Therefore, hear me, people of understanding: 4

far be it from God that He should do wrong, and far be it from Him that He should sin.



For God 5 rewards one according to one’s works,



Truly, God does not do wrong,

and a man finds reward 6 according to his ways.

and neither does God distort the way.

Job 10:7; 13:18. 2 Job 9:21. 3 Job 2:9. 4 ‘people of understanding’: lit. ‘people of heart’. 5 ‘God’: lit. ‘he’; referent unclear. 6 ‘a man finds reward’: lit. ‘a man finds’. This phrase might also read, ‘a man is capable’ or ‘He (God) accepts a man’. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܠܕ‪.‬‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܶܐ ܺܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ̱ܘ ܰܚ ݁ ܺܟ ̈ܝ ܶܡܐ ̈ܡܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܐܝܠܝܢ ݁ܕܝܳ ݂ܕܥܺܝܢ‪ܽ :‬ܨ ݂ܘܬ ܳܘܢ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܐ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ ݂ܐܕܢܐ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܶ݁ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚܟܐ ܛܥܡ ܡܐ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܶ ݂ܓ ݁ ܶܒܐ ܰܠܢ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ� ܳܢܐ‪ :‬ܘ ܶ� ݁ ܰܕܥ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ܬܢ‪ܳ :‬ܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܫ ݁ ܺܦܝܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܐ ܰܡ ݁ܪܬ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܰܘ ݂ ܰܙܟ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܠ ܰܗܐ ܗܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡ ݁ܪܬ ܶܐ ݁ ܰܙܕ݁ܕ ܶܩ ݂ܬ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܨܠܝ ̱ܗܝ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܕ ̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ ܰܐܒ ݂ܕ ݁ܕ� ܰܣ ݂ܟܠܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫݁ ܶ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬܐ ܽܡܘܝܳ ܳܩܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪ :‬ܕܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ݂ ܳܦܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܥ ݂ ̈ܒ ݁ ܰܕܝ ܥܰܘ�‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܗܘܐ ܫ‬ ‫ܥܰܡ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܰܚ ܳܛ ̈ܝܶܐ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܳܠ ݂ ܽܟܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡ ݁ܪܬ‪݁ :‬ܕ� ܳܙ ݂ ܶܟܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܳܕ ܶܚܠ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܐ ܳܢ ܰ ̈ܫܝ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒܐ ܽܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܥ ̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܣ �ܠܗܐ ݂ܕܢܥܒ ݂ܕ ܥܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܣ ܶܠܗ ݁ܕܢܶ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܚܛ ݂‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ ܰܕ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܳܦ ܰܪܥ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܐܘ�ܚ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰܺ ܳ ܺ ܰܳ ܳ ܳ ܳܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐܠܗܐ � ܥ ݂ܒ ݂ܕ ܥܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܪܝܪܐ ݂‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܳ� ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܡܥܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܩ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



If you are not hearing me, 1 be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom!’

1

‘If you are not hearing me’ or poss. ‘If not, listen to me’.



‫‪‬‬

‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬܘܩ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠܦ ݂ܟ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܓ ܶܘܐܢ � ܳܫ ܰܡܥ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝ‪݂ :‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



And he shall be merciful towards him and say,

“Save him so he shall not descend to corruption, and he shall find salvation!”

 

His flesh shall be changed to what it was in 1 his childhood, and it 2 shall return to the days of his youth.

And he shall pray before God, and He shall hear him and take delight in him; He 3 shall appear in glory before him, 4

and He shall repay a person his righteousness.



And he shall express the straight truth about humanity. He shall say, “I have sinned,

and, truly, I have erred,

and I have not helped my soul! 5



Save my soul from the utter annihilation of ruin,



God does all these things three times with a man;



so my soul shall behold the light!”

He returns his soul from ruin to see the light of life.



Listen, Job, and hear;



If you have yet more to say, 6 answer me!

be quiet, and I will speak.

For I want you to be innocent.

‘what it was in’: lit. ‘according to’. 2 ‘it’ (masc.) or ‘he’: referent unclear. 3 ‘He’ or ‘It’ (masc.); referent unclear, poss. ‘person’ (v. 23), ‘angel’ (v. 23), or ‘God’. 4 ‘He … him’ or ‘it (masc.) … its (masc.)’: referents unclear. 5 ‘my soul’ or ‘myself’. 6 ‘have yet more to say’: lit. ‘there are to you words’. 1



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪ܺ :‬ܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܰܘ ܰܢܪ ܶܚܡ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫݁ܳ ܶܽ ܰ ܳܳ‬ ‫݁ܦ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܒ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܩܝ ̱ܗܝ ܕ� ܢܚ ݂ܘܬ ܠ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ݁ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܗ ܢܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܩ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܗ ܢ ݂ܬܚܠ ݂ܦ ܒܣܪܗ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܕ ݂ܒܛ‬ ‫�ܝ ݂ܘܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܢ ܶ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܘܟ ܰ‬ ‫�� ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ܥܠ‬ ‫ܝܡ ݂ܘܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܘ ܰܘ ܰܢܨ ܶ� ݂ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪ :‬ܘܢܶܨ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܛܒܐ ݂ ܶܒܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܐܠ ܳܗܐ‪ :‬ܘܢܶܫܡܥܝ ̱‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܒ ܽܫ ݂ܘܒ ܳܚܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܦ ܽܪܘܥ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܒܪ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܽܝܩ ݂ܘܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪ܺ .‬ܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܺܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‬ ‫ܟܙ ܰܘ ݂ܬܪ ܽܝܨ ݂ܘܬܐ ܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪:‬‬ ‫ܚܛ ݂‬ ‫ܰܺ ܳ ܺ ܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܟܠ ݂ܬ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܫܪܝܪܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܢ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܒ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܚ ݁ܦ ܽܪܘܩ ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ ܡܢ ܐ ݂ܒܕ ܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ ݁ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܟܛ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܳܥ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ܰܙ ݂ ̈ܒ ܺܢܝܢ ܥܰܡ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܠ ܰܡ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܒ ܳ� ܶ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܟ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ̈ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫� ܽܨ ݂ܘܬ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܬܘܩ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܐ ܰܡܠܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ̈ܡ�‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܒ ܐܢ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܝܒ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳܨ ݂ ܶܒܐ ܐ̱ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ݁ܕ ݂ܬ ݁ ܶܙܟܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

   

In this you cannot possibly be 1 innocent!

I would reply to you that God is greater than a human being!

Why did you contend 2 with Him, and He has not answered in any of His replies?

Because God speaks but once, and He does not continue on for a second time. He is not comprehended by the lips.

In a dream and in a vision of the night,

when deep sleep falls upon a person, with slumber upon the bed,

  

He then opens one’s ear, 3

and He shall humble them in their resistance

in order to remove a person from his works, hiding the substance 4 of a man.

He 5 would preserve his soul from corruption, and his life from annihilation.



So he would hide upon his bed in pain,



His flesh would perish because of his fear,

and he would strengthen many of his bones. and his soul would not be satisfied with bread, and his soul would desire food.



He would eat his own flesh because of his fear,



His soul would draw near to corruption, and his life to death.



and he would not see many of his bones.

If he has an angel who hears him, one in a thousand, he shall show the person his integrity.

‘cannot possibly be’: lit. ‘are not able to be’. ‘contend’ or ‘judge’. 3 ‘one’s ear’: lit. ‘the ear of a person’. 4 ‘substance’ or ‘body’. 5 ‘He’ or ‘It’ (masc.); referent unclear in this and the following verses. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫݁ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܙܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒܗ݂ܕ ܐ � ܡ‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐ ݁ܬܠ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ‪݁ :‬ܕ ܰܪ ݁ܒ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܳܕ ݁ܢܬ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ܳܓ ܰܡ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܳ� ܳ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪ ݁ܬܶܝܢ � ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܦ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܡܡܠ�ܠܗܐ‪ :‬ܘ ݂ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܶܣ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܘ ݂ܬܐ � ܶܡܣ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܟܠ‪:‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܶܚ ܳܙܘܐ ݂ܕ ܺܠ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ‪:‬‬ ‫݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܬܐ ܥܰܠ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟ ݂ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫� ܢܫܐ ݂ܒܢ ݂‬ ‫ܟ ݂ܕ ܢ ݂ܦ� ܫ ݂‬ ‫ܢܬܐ ܥ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܗ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ ݁ ܳܓ� ܐ݂ܕܢܶܗ ݁ܕܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܳܡ ܽܪ ݂ ܽܘܕ ݂ܘܬ ܽܗܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܡ ݁ ܶܟ ݂ܟ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‪.‬‬

‫ܥܒ ܽܪܘ ܐ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܘܫܡܗ ݁ܕ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܟ ܶܣܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ̱‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ ܰܕܘ ̱ܗܝ‪݂ ܽ .‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܣ ݂ܘܟ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܒ ܳ�‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰܢܟ ܶܣܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܺܟ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܒܐ ܥܰܠ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟ ݂ ܶܒܗ‪.‬‬

‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܫܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܰܓ� ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܶ ܶ ݁ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܠܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟ ܢ ݂ܓܡܪ ܒܣܪܗ ܡܢ ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܰܘܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ܳ� ܢ ܰܣ ݁ ܰܒܥ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܢ ݂ܦܫܗ ܡܐ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܘܠܬܐ ݂ܬ ܰܪ ݂ܓ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܶ ܶ ܶ ݁ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܠܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܐ ܢܶ ݂ ܽܐܟܘܠ ܒܣܪܗ ܡܢ ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳ� ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܰܓ� ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܒ ݂ܘܬܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ܘܒ ܰܠ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܒ ܳ� ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܠ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܳܟܐ ݂ܕ ܳܫ ܰܡܥ ܶܠܗ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܶܠ ݂ܦ‪:‬‬ ‫ܟܓ ܐܢ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܢܚ ܶܘܐ �̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ݂ܬ ܺܪ ܽܝܨ ݂ܘܬܗ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘But now, Job, listen to my words,



Listen, I have opened my mouth,



The talk coming from my mouth is sincere,



The spirit of God has awakened me,



If you can, return me an answer;



For I am also, as you, before God,



And now, may my fearsomeness 1 not terrify you,

 

and pay attention to all of my responses. and in my mouth, my tongue speaks.

and the speech from my lips is excellent.

and the breath of God has made me alive.

prepare yourself and stand before me! and I also have been molded from clay.

and may my concern for you not be weighty.

Nevertheless, you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of your words:

for you have said, “I am innocent, without guilt, 2 I am righteous, and there are no sins in me, I am set free from iniquity,



For, surely, He finds pretexts against me,



He set my feet in a shackle, and He has guarded all of my ways.” 4

He considered me as His enemy, 3

‘my fearsomeness’ or ‘my fear’. ‘guilt’: lit. ‘guilts’ (pl.). See Job 10:7; 13:18. 3 Job 13:24. 4 Job 13:27. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܠܓ‪.‬‬

‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ̈ܡܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫݂ܽ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ̈ܡܝ ܽܨ ݂ܘܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ݂ܦ ݂ܬ ܶܚ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܝ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܠ ܶܠ ܳܫ ̱‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݂ܦ ̱‬ ‫݁ܬ ܺܪܝܨ ܽܗܘ ܰܡ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܠܠܗ ݁ܕ ݂ܦ ̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰܘܓ ݂ ܶܒܐ ܗܘ ܺܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܶܣ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܽ ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܘܚܗ ܕܐܠܗܐ ܐܥܝܪܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܬܗ ܕܐܠܗܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܚܝ ݂ܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܫ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ܡ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܬ ܰܝ ݁ ܰܒ ̱‬ ‫ܶܐ ݁ܬ ܰܛ ܰܝ ݂ܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܩܘܡ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܦ ܐܢܐ ܐ ݂ܟܘ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ ܐ̱ܢܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܛܺ ܳܝܢܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒܠ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܶܕܚܠ ܰ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܳ� ݂ܬܙܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܥ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ܝܟ ܳ� ܺܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܩܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܘܟ ݁ܦ ̱‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ܶܐ ܰܡ ݁ܪܬ ݁ ܶܒܐ ݂ ̈ܕ ܰܢܝ‪ܳ .‬‬ ‫ܘܩܠ ܶܡ ܰ� ̈ܝ ݁ܟ ܶܫܡܥ ܶ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡ ݁ܪܬ‪݁ :‬ܕ ܰܙ ݁ ܳܟܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ� ܰܚ ̈ܘ ݁ ܺܒܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘܙ ݁ ܺܕܝܩ ܐ ܳܢܐ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܘܠ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܺܒܝ ܚܛ ̈ܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܦܨܝ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܡܢ ܥܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܳ ܶ ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܥܠ ܰܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܗܐ ܥ ̱ܠܠ ݂‬ ‫ܘ ܰܚ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܶܠܗ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܒܥ ܶ ݁‬ ‫ܠܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܒ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ݁ ܰ ݁ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܽ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣܡ ܒܣܕ ܐ � ݂ܓܠܝ‪ .‬ܘܢܛܪ ܟ‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



I will not show partiality to anyone;



For I do not know shame,

I will not be ashamed by anyone’s company. 1

or in a little while He should remove my strength from me.’

1

‘company’: lit. ‘faces’.



‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܒ‬

‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫� ܐ ܰܣ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܒܐ ݁ ̈ܦܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܐ ݁ ̈ܦܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ � ܐ ݂ܒ ܰܗ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ ܳܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܬ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ� ܝ ݂ܕܥ ܐ̱ܢܐ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܫܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܰ ݂ܕ ܰܩܠܝܠ ܳܫ ܶܩܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܠܝ ܽܥ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Therefore I say, “Hear me,



Yet listen, I was quiet for you and for your speeches.

and I too will demonstrate my knowledge.” I listened until you finished,

and I examined you, word by word. 1



I have considered your testimonies,

and, listen, Job had no counselor,

nor one who could give him an answer from among you all!



For you all have said, “We have discovered wisdom:



I am not refuting words,



— They were quieted and no longer responded to him;

it is God who has stricken him and not a human being.”

and because of your speeches I will not yield to Job.’ 2 they let their words go, and they were quiet.

  

For they were not speaking,

because they stood and no longer replied to him.

‘I also will answer with my speech, and I too will show off my knowledge. For I am full of words, and a spirit 3 has poured forth into my belly.



Listen, my belly is aching and it has not been opened;



I must speak out and get relief;

it is ready to be split open as ripe fruit! 4

I must open my lips and give an answer!

‘word by word’: lit. ‘in words’. ‘Job’: lit. ‘him’. 3 ‘spirit’ or ‘wind’. 4 ‘ripe fruit’: lit. ‘fruit in the month’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܐ ܳܢܐ‪ܽ :‬ܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܥ ̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ܰܚ ܶܘ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ ܺܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݂‬ ‫ܘ ܳܗܐ ܶܫ ݂ܬ ܶܩ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܟܘܢ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܰ� ̈� ݁ ܽܟܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ݁ ܰ ܶ ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܩܬܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܨ ݂ܬ ݂ܬ ݂ܥܕܡܐ ܕܛܠ‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ݁ܒ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܺܨ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܳܣ ̈ܗ݁ܕ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒܝܢܶ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ � ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ܳܣ ܳܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܠ‬ ‫ܰܘ݂ܕܝܳ ܶܗ ݂ܒ ܶܠܗ ܶܡ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܟܘܢ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܳܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ ܶܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚܢ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳܠ ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܚܝ ̱ܗܝ‪ :‬ܘ� ݂ ܰܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܳ� ܺܐ ܰܡܪ ܽܠ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܒܠ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܶܡ ܰ� ̈� ݁ ܽܟܘܢ ܳ� ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܡܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܬܩ ̱ܘ ݂ܘܬ ݂ܘܒ �‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ̱‬ ‫̈ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ ܶܪܩ ̱ܘ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ܡ�‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܬܩ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ�‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳܩܡ ̱ܘ‪݂ :‬ܘܬ ݂ܘܒ �‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܥܢܶܐ ܐ ݂ܦ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܡܠ ܰ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪ .‬ܘ‬ ‫ܐܚ ܶܘܐ ܐ ݂ܦ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܺܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݂‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̈ܶܡ ܶ�‪ܶ .‬ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰ� ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܟ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܬ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܣܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬܡܠ ݂‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰܟ ̱‬ ‫݁ܳ ݁ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܣܝ ܟ‬ ‫ܝܒܐ‪ :‬ܘ� ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܦ ݂ܬ ܳܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ݂ ܰܟ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܶܐ ݂ ܳܒܐ ݂ܒ ܰܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܚܐ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܦ ݂ܪܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶܐ ܰܡܠ ܶܠ‪ :‬ܘܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܘܚ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܚ ܶܣ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܶܘ ݁ܐܬܠ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

XI

 

Chapter  And these three men who were seeking the condemnation of Job were quiet, because he was righteous in their eyes. Then Elihu, son of Barakiel the Buzite, of the tribe of Ramu, was enraged; His anger flared up against Job,

for he had made himself more righteous than 1 God.



And he was enraged against his three companions,



And Elihu reproved Job with words,



for they were unable to give an answer to Job and so condemn him. because they were older than he. 2

And Elihu saw that those three men were not able to answer him a word, and his anger flared up.



And Elihu, the son of Barakiel the Buzite, spoke saying, ‘Since I am younger than you all 3 and you are old,

I was, therefore, afraid and scared to show off my knowledge before you.



For I myself have said, “Days should speak,



Truly, there is a spirit in a human being,



It is not, therefore, many days that makes one wise,

and it is the multitude of years that teaches wisdom.”

and it is the breath of God that provides them understanding. neither is it the elderly who understand judgment.

‘more righteous than’. See also Job 4:17. ‘older than he’: lit. ‘older than him in days’. 3 ‘younger than you all’: lit. ‘younger than you in days’; the words ‘you’ and ‘your’ are plural in this chapter. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܨܚ ܝܐ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫ܠܒ‪.‬‬

‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܒܥ ܶܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ـܘܒ‪ܶ .‬ܡܛـܠ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܳܝ ݂ ܽܒـ ݂ܘܬܗ � ܽܝ ݂‬ ‫ܘܫܠܝܘ ܗܠܝܢ ܬܠ ݂‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫݁ܕ ܽܗܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕܝܩ ݁ܒ ܰ��ܢܝܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܪܟܝܐܝܠ ݁ ܽܒ ܳܘܙ ܳ�ܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܫ ݁ܪܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܪ ܽܡܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܬܚܡ ݂ܬ ܐܠܝܗܘ ݂ܒܪ ܒ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܽܺ‬ ‫ܘܓܙܗ ܥ�ܝ ݂ܘܒ‪:‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܬܚܡ ݂ܬ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥܰܠ ݁ܕ ܰܙ ݁ ܶܕܩ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ܛ ݂ܒ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܚ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ܥܰܠ ܬܠ ݂ܬܐ ܰܚ ݂ܒ� ̱‬ ‫ܥܰܠ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܶܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܚ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ̱ܘ ݁ܕܢܶ ݁ܬ ܽܠܘܢ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ ܺ� ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܗܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܟ ܶܘܢ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ � ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ݁ܒ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳܣ ݁ ܺܒܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܡܢܶܗ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܶܐ ܺܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܗܘ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܶܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟ ܺܚܝܢ ݁ܕܢܶ ݁ܬ ܽܠܘܢ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ݁ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܶܙܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܚܡ ݂ܬ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܝܗܘ ݂ ܰܒܪ ݁ ܰܒ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ܶܐ ܺܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܟܝܐܶܝܠ ݁ ܽܒ ܳܘܙ ܳ�ܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܽ ݁ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ ܰܩ ܺܫ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܫܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ ݂ܒܨܝܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܡ ݂ܢܟܘܢ ܒ�ܘܡ ݂‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܶܕܚܠ ܶ ݂ܬ ܳܘܙܥ ܶ ݂ܬ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܚ ܳܘ ܽܝ ݂ܘܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܺܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܓܝܪ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܝܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܡܪ ݂ܬ ݁ܕ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ̱ܗܘ ݁ ܰܕܫ ܰ� ̈ܝܐ ܰܡ� ݂ܦܢ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܰ‬ ‫ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐ ܺܝܬ ܽܪ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܒ ݂ ܰܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ܐ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܡܬܗ ܽܗܘ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܒ ܳܝܢܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܢ ܰܫ ݁ ̱‬ ‫ܰ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ� ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܗ ݂ ܺܟܝܠ ܽܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ݁ܟ ܺܡܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕܝܘܡ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ� ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܣ ݂ ̈ܒܐ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܺܝܢܝܢ ݁ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Would that He had provided someone who could hear me! If God exists, He will answer me, 1

and may He write down the judgments of a man in a book.



But I would lift it upon my shoulder,



And I would account the number of my footsteps to Him.



and make it my crown. 2

As a magistrate, I would interrogate Him.

The earth would wail over me, and its furrows would cry out together.



If I have consumed its resources 3 without money,



let dung grow instead of wheat,

and if I have weakened the soul of the bitter, and let the thorn grow instead of barley!’ The words of Job are ended.

‘If God exists, He will answer me’: punct. difference; LP and many MSS punctuate ‘if he exists! May God answer me’. 2 ‘my crown’: lit. ‘a crown for me’. 3 ‘resources’ or ‘strength’. 1



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܠܗ ܰܡܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ܰܡܢ ݁ܕ ܳܫ ܰܡܥ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪ :‬ܢܶܥܢܶ ̱‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܟ ݁ܬ ݂ܘܒ ݁ܒ ܶܣ ݂ܦܪ ܐ ݂ ܺܕ ̈� ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܶܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܘ ܐ� ܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ̱ܝ ܐܫܩܠܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܺܳ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݁ܕ ݁ܬܗ ܺܠܝ ݂ܟܠܝ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܠܙ ܘ ܶܡ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐ ܕ ܰܗ ݂ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܠܟ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܐ ܰܚ ܶܘܝ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܰܫܠܝܛܐ ܐ ݁ ܰܒ ݁ܕܩܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ݂ܬܝܠ ܶܠ‪ .‬ܘ ݂ܟ� ݂ܒ ̇‬ ‫ܠܚ ܘܥܠܝ ܐ‬ ‫ܝܗ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ ܢܶ ݂ܒ ݁ ܽܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܝ� ̇ܗ ݁ܕ� ݂ܟ ܶܣ ݂ܦ‪:‬‬ ‫ܠܛ ܐܢ ܐ ݂ܟܠ ݂ܬ ܚ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ܺܪ ܳܝܪ ܐ ܐܢ ܐ݂ܕ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܛܬܐ‪ :‬ܢܶ ݁ ܽܦܘܩ ܙܶ ݂ܒ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܡ ܚܠ ݂ܦ ܚ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܪܬܐ ܢܶ ݁ ܽܦܘܩ ݁ ܽܟ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܚܠ ݂ܦ ܣܥ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘܫܠܡ ̱ܘ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܰܡ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ ܺܕܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



if I had watched the light as it arose, and the moon when it was lovely;



if I had gone out, and my heart has been secretly tempted,



yet, it is He who sees all my schemes,



If I have rejoiced over the ruin 2 of the one who hates me,



or if I have surrendered 3 my mouth to sins



and my hand has thrown a kiss from my mouth; 1 if I have been false before God!

or if I exult when evil has happened to him,

— yet I 4 have not desired even one of these things!

But my friends said, “Would that He had provided us his meat” 5 — we were insatiate!



I did not allow the foreigner to spend the night on the street,



If, as people do, I have concealed my sins,



if I have crushed the strength of many

and I opened my door to the traveler.

and if, in secret, I have hidden my offenses; — yet it is the multitude of tribes 6 that has destroyed me! I did not turn away a person at the gate, and I did not reflect on gossip; 7

the provocations of God humbled me.

‘thrown a kiss from my mouth’: lit. ‘has kissed my mouth’. ‘ruin’. See also Job 31:3, 23. 3 ‘surrendered’. LP and many MSS read ‘not surrendered’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 4 ‘I’: lit. ‘my soul’. 5 ‘his meat’: lit. ‘from his flesh’. 6 ‘tribes’ or ‘families’. 7 ‘gossip’: lit. ‘talk of the lips’. 1 2



‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙܝܬ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܕ ܺܢܝܚ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܗܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ܝܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܘ ܐܢ ܺ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܶܰ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܐܫܬ݁ ܰܕܠ ݁ܒ ܶܣ ݂ܬ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܠ ݁ܒ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܙ ܐܢ ܐ ܙܠ ܘ‬ ‫ܬ ܐ ܺܝܕܝ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܦ ̱‬ ‫ܫܩ ݂ ݀ ݂ ̱‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ݂ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܚ ܳܐ ݂ܦ ܽܗܘ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܶܨ� ̈ ܳܥ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܕ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ܬ ݂‬ ‫ܟܛ ܶܘܐܢ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܬ ݂ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܳܣܢܐ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܕ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ݀ ܶ ݁ ܺ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܢ ܕܨ ݂ܬ ܡܐ ݂ܕܗܘ ݂ܬ ܠܗ ܒ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܠ ܶܘܐܢ ܰܐܫ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܰܠܚܛ ̈ܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܡ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ̱‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܳ� ܶܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܠ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܰܘܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ ܰܠ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܡܝ‪ܰ :‬ܡܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܝܰܗ ݂ܒ ܰܠܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ܶ‬ ‫� ܶܐ ܳ� ܶܐ ܰܡܪ ̱ܘ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܣܪܗ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܒܥܢ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫݁ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ݁ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݂ܬ ܰܐ ݂ܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܣ� ܳܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܒ ܒܫܘܩܐ � ܐܒ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܥܝ ܳ� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܚܐ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ܶܚ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܬ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܚܛ ̈ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܓ ܐܢ ݁ ܰܟ ܺܣ ݂‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܶܛ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܪ ݂ܬ ݁ܒ ܽܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܝܐ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ݁ ܰܒܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܠܕ ܐܢ ݁ ܳܕ ܶܫ ݂ܬ ܰܚܝ� ݂ܕ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܳ� ܽܣ ݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ̱ܗܘ ݁ܕ ܰܫ� ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܒ ܰܪ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܒܪܢܫܐ � ܐܗܦ ݂ܟ ݂ܬ ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡ�� ݂ܕ ܶܣ ݂ܦ ܳܘ ݂ܬܐ � ܺܪܢ ݂‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫݁ ܽܓܘ ܳ� ܰܓܘܗܝ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ݂ ܽܟ ̱‬ ‫݂ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



— but I say, “What can I do when God arises;



For, surely, in the womb where He created me, He also created him;



If I have kept from the poor what he desired,

   

when He commands, what can I answer Him?” He formed me 1 in a single womb!

and if I have darkened the eyes of the widow;

if I have eaten my bread by myself, and the orphan did not partake of it;

— because pains have raised me from my childhood, and groans since my mother’s womb — if I have seen one perishing from lack of clothing, and the poor man without a garment; — but they were raised upon my knees, and they were warmed with the wool of my sheep —



if I have raised my hand against the orphan;



may my shoulder fall out from its socket,



Because the fear of God has terrified me,

— yet I helped him when I saw him in the gate — and may my arm be broken off from its elbow! and ruin has come upon me from Him; 2

I have been unable to stand because of the horror.



If I have put my confidence in gold,

and if I spoke about the valuable stone, “You are my confidence!”; and if I spoke about the purified gold, 3 “You are my hope!”;



and if I rejoiced when my property was abundant, and when my hand found abundance; ‘me’: LP and many MSS read: ‘us’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. ‘ruin … from Him’: lit. ‘His ruin/destruction’. 3 ‘purified gold’: lit. ‘purified’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܳ� ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܪ ݂ܬ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ܳܩܐܡ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳܦ ܶܩ ݂ܕ‪ܳ :‬ܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܬ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܒܝ ̱‬

‫ܝܗ ݁ܕ ܳܗܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܣܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܕ ̱ܢܝ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶܕܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݁ܪܒ ܳܥܐ ݂ ܰܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܢ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܡ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܟ ܳܢܐ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܘ ܐܢ ݁ܟܠ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܰܐ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܫܟ ݂ܬ ���ܢܐ ݂ܕܐܪܡ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫݁ܰ ܽ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܕܝ‪ .‬ܘ� ܝܰ ݂ܬ ܳܡܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܐ ݂ ܰܟܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܙ ܐܢ ܐ ݂ܟܠ ݂ܬ ܰܠ ̱‬ ‫ܚܡܝ ܒ�ܚ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ݁ ܺܟܐ ݂ ̈ܶܒܐ‪ܶ .‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܶܡܢ ܰܛ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܡܝ ݁ܬ ̈� ܳܚ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪܣ ̇ܗ ݁ ܶܕ ̱‬ ‫�ܝ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ ܪ ݁ܒ ܽܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܺܐܒ ݂ܝܕ ܶܡܢ ݁ܒܠ ܰܝ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܛ ܶܐܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܫܐ‪ .‬ܘܠܝܬ ܬ ݂ܟܣ ݂‬ ‫ܚܙ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܳ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ܶ ̈ܶ ܳ ̈ ܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬ ܰܚܢ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟ ܐ� ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܒܘ� ݁ ܰܟܝ ܐ ݂ܬ ܰܪ ݂ ܺܒܝܘ‪ .‬ܘܡܢ ܓܙ ܐ ݂ܕ�ܢ ̱ܝ ܐ‬ ‫ܟܐ ܶܐܢ ܰܐ ܺܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܡ ݂ܬ ܥܰܠ ܝܰ ݂ܬ ܳܡܐ ܐ ܺ ݂ܝܕ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪ܰ ݁ �ܰ :‬ܕ ݁ܪܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ� ܡܐ ݂ܕܚܙ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬܗ ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܟܒ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ̱ܝ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܟ ܳܪ ̇ܗ ݁ܬ ݁ ܶܦܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܥܝ ܶܡܢ ܰܩ ܶܢܝܗ ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܰܒܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ݂ܕܪ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܥܬ ̱ܢܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܚܠܬܗ ܕܐܠܗܐ ܐ ܙ‬ ‫ܟܓ ܡܛܠ ܕ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܶܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܬ ݂ ܳܒ ܶܪܗ ܐ ݂ܬܐ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܟ ܶܚ ݂ܬ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܬܐ ܳ� ܶܐ ݁‬ ‫ܡܩܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܙ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ݁ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܕ ܐܢ ܥ ݂ܒܕ ݂ܬ ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܗܒܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܘܟܠ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܪ ݂ܬ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܺܟ ݂ܐܦܐ ܛ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ ܰܕܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ܺ ̱ܗܝ ݂ܬ ݂ܘܟܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܪ ݂ܬ ܥܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܢ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ ܰܕܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܣ ݂ܒܪ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܓܝ ܶܩ ܳܢܝ ̱ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܕ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟ ܰܚ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܟܗ ܶܘܐܢ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܓܝ‪ܶ :‬ܐ ݁‬ ‫ܬ ܐ ܺ ݂ܝܕ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܝ‪݂ .‬ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܺ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܟ ݂ܕ ܺ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 

      

‘I made a covenant with my eyes that I would not consider a virgin.

What is the portion of God from above and the heritage of God from on high, but ruin for the reprobate and alienation for the workers of perdition? It is He who watched my ways

and numbered all of my steps.

If I have walked with liars, and if my feet have been swift to run deceitfully, may He weigh me in the balance scale of truth, and may God know my integrity. If I have swerved my footsteps from the way,

and if my heart has followed after my eyes, and if something else has attached to me



— but, indeed, if I sowed, then I ate,



If my heart has been seduced by a foreign woman,



— but my wife ground for others,



For she 1 is sin,



she is a fire that consumes to annihilation,



and if I planted, then I cultivated and reaped! and if I lurked at my friend’s door and she baked in another place! and she is a spring of craftiness;

and all my produce shall be uprooted!

If I rejected the case of my male and female servants when they disputed with me

1

‘she’ or ‘it’ (fem.) in verses 11–12.



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫�‪.‬‬

‫ܰ ̈ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܩܝ ܳܡܐ ܰܐ ܺܩ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܡ ݂ܬ ���ܢܝ‪ :‬ܕ� ܐ ݂ܬܒܝܢ ܒ ݂ܒ ݂ܬ‬ ‫ܳ ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܪܬ ݂ܘܬܶܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܓ ݂ܘܬܶܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ̱ܗܝ ݁ ܳܦ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡܢ �ܥ ܶܠ‪ :‬ܘܝ‬ ‫ܰܳܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܳ‬ ‫�� ̈ܘ�‪ :‬ܘ ܽܢ ݂ܘܟ ܳܪ ܽܝ ݂ܘܬܐ ܥܰܠ ܳܥ ݂ ̈ܒ ݁ ܰܕܝ ܥܰܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ� ݂ܬ ݂ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܽ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘܝܘ‬ ‫݂ܽ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܰܗ ̈ܠ ݂ ܳܟ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܪܗ ݂ܒ ܶ�ܓܠ ܰܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܗܛ ݁ܒܢܶ ݂ܟ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܟ ݂ܬ ܥܡ ܫܩ� ܐ‪ :‬ܘܐܢ ܐ‬ ‫ܐܢ ܗ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܫܬܐ‪ .‬ܘ ܶ� ݁ ܰܕܥ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܫ ܽ‬ ‫�ܡ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܝ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ܰܣ ݂ܐܬܐ ݂ܕܩ‬ ‫ܢܶ ݂ܬܩܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܗ ݂ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܠܟ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ܐܤܛ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܐ ܰܙܠ ܶܠ ݁ܒ ̱ܝ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬܪ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒܩ ݁ ܺܒܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ݁ܶ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ ܐ ݂ܟܠ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ� ܐܢ ܙܪܥ ݂ܬ‪ :‬ܗ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܨܒܬ‪ܳ :‬ܗ ݁ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܡܠ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ ܪ ݁ ܺܒ ݂‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܢܶ ݁ ܶ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬ݁ ܰܕܠ ܶܠ ݁ܒ ̱ܝ ܥܰ�ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܐ ܽܢ ݂ܘܟ ܳܪ ݁ܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܢ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݂ܒܪ ̱ܝ ܐܢ ݁ ܶܟܡܢܶ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܳ ܶ ܰ ݀ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ �ܚ ܳ� ܺܢܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܐ� ܛܚܢ ݂‬ ‫ܶܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܦ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܚܪ ܳܢܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܕ ݁ ܳ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܺܗܝ ܚܛ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܥܰ ܳܝܢܐ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܕ ܶܨܢܥ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫݁ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ � ݂ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܳܢܐ ܐ ݂ܟ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܽܘܢܘܪ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܕ ݂‬ ‫̈ܳ‬ ‫݂ܽ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܥܰ ̱ܠܠ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܢܶ ݂ܬܥܰܩ ܳ�ܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ܕ ̱ܝ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܕ ݂‬ ‫ܐܢ ܐܣܠ ݂‬ ‫ܐܡܬ ̱ܝ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܳܕ ܺܝܢܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܥܰ ̱‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

Still, He will not stretch out His hand against me,

and when I cry out to Him, He will redeem me.

In the daytime, I wept for the destitute and my soul was troubled for the poor.



I waited for the good, but evil came;



My innards have been stirred up and are never still;



Gloomily, I walked without anger;



I have become a brother to jackals and a friend to ostriches. 1

I waited for light, but darkness came.

the days of my humiliation have reached me.

I stood up in the congregation and wept.



My skin has bristled upon me,



Mourning is my harp, and the sound of weeping, my song.’

and my bones have burned as if in the parching heat.

1

‘ostriches’ or poss. ‘Naʿamah’ (personal name).



‫‪ ‬ܟܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܗ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܛ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܠ‬

‫‪� ‬‬

‫݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ܳ� ܥܠ ܰܝ ܰܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫܛ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܓܥܺ ݂‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬܗ ܢܶ ݂ܦܪ ܰܩ ̱‬ ‫ܐܝܡ ܳܡܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘܢ ݂ܦܫܝ ܶܐ ݁ܬ ܰܛ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܥܰܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܟ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܦ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܬ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܳܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ݂ ܺܟ ݂‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ݀ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܠܛ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܐ‪ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݂ܬ ܒ‬ ‫ܰܣ ݁ ܺܟ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܬܐ ܥܰܡܛ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܣ ݁ ܺܟ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܥ̈ܝ ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܕ ܰܠܚ ̱ܘ ܘ� ܫܠܝܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܽܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟ ݂ܟ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ܝܘܡ ݂‬ ‫ܰܩ ݂ܕ ܽܡ ̱‬ ‫݁ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܶ ݁ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܗ ݂‬ ‫ܠܟ ݂ܬ ܕ� ܚ ݂‬ ‫ܟܡܝܪܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳܩ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܟ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܫܝܐ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܺܟ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�� ܽܪܘ ܶ� ܐ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳܚܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܰܠ ݂ܒܢ̈ ݂ܬ ܰ� ܳܥ ̈ܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂‬ ‫ܫܟܝ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܦ ݂ܘܕ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡ ݁ ̱‬ ‫ܘܓ� ܰܡܝ ܳܤܛ ̱ܘ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰܫ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܳܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܩ� ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ݂ ܳܟ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ݂ ܶܟ ܳܢܪ ̱ܝ � ݂ܒ�‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܳܙܡܪ ̱ܝ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Yet they have tangled up my paths 1 in vain,

and they rejoiced over what has happened to me, so for them there will be no help.



They shall come forth as a massive breech,



For they have returned turmoil upon me.



And now my soul is troubled,



By night, my bones have weighed me down,



and they shall be torn apart under the storm. They have pursued my paths as the wind, and my salvation as a passing cloud.

and the days of my humiliation have surrounded me. yet my body has not slackened in its great strength.

I have put on my clothing, and I have girded myself with my garment.



They have thrown me 2 into the mud,



I would cry out to You, but You will not answer me;



Yet, You made me Your enemy,



You snatched me up, and You expose me 3 to the wind,



Nevertheless, I know that You will restore me from death

and I was compared to dust and ash.

I stood up, but You just observe me.

and You bound me by the vigor of Your hands. and You humiliate me, and You weaken me. to the appointed place 4 of all the living.

‘tangled up my paths’: lit. ‘in my paths they entangled’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 2 ‘have thrown me’: LP and some MSS read ‘compared me’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 3 ‘expose me’: lit. ‘make me lay down’. 4 ‘appointed place’ or ‘gathering house’. 1



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܒ ̈ܝܠ ܰܝ ܥܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܓ ܘ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪܩܠ ̱ܘ‬ ‫ܣܪ ܳܝܩܐ ݂‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘ ̱ܢܝ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܕܝܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܳ� ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܽܥ ݂ܘܕ ܳܪܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ ܰܪ ݁ܒ ݂ܬܐ ܺܢ ݂ܐܬܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܬܘܪ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܳ‬ ‫��� ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ܒ ܽܪܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܥ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܶܚ ݂‬ ‫ܝܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܗܦ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܥܠ ܰܝ ݁ܕ ܽܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܥ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܳܥ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܒ ̈ܝܠܝ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰܪܕ ݂ܦ ̱ܘ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܪ ܳ ݂‬ ‫ܘܪܩ ̱‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܶܐ ݁ܬ ܰܛ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܦ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܬ ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ܽܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟ ݂ܟ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ݂ܕܪ ̱‬ ‫ܝܙ ݁ܒܠ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ݂ܰܓ� ܰܡܝ ܝܺ ܰܩܪ ̱ܘ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܡܝ ܳ� ܳ‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ݂ܒ ܽܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚܝ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫݂ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܚ ܶܐ ݂ܬ ܰܠ ݂ܒ ܶܫ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܫܝ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܚ ܶܙܩ ݂ܬ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܟ ݁ܘܬ ̱‬ ‫ܠܒ ̱‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܛ ܰܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ܠܛ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪܡܝ ̱‬ ‫ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܡ ݁ܬ ܶܠ ݂ܬ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܛܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܟ ܐ ݂ܓܥܐ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ ܘ� ݂ܬܥܢܶ ̱‬ ‫ܳܩ ݁‬ ‫ܡܬ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝ ݁ܢܬ ݁ ܺܒܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܐ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݁ܕ ݁ ܳܬ ̱ܢܝ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ܒܥ ܶ ݁‬ ‫ܠܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܫܢܐ ݂ ܺܕܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ ܤܛ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬ ̱ܢܝ ܥܰܠ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܒ ܘܫܩܠܬ ̱ܢܝ ܘܐܪܒ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܟ ݂ܟܬ ̱ܢܝ ܘ ݂ܐܕܘ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܐ ݂ ܰܬ ݁‬ ‫ܢܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܟܓ ܶܡ ݁ ܺܟܝܠ ܝ ݂ܕܥ ܐ̱ܢܐ ݂ܕܡܢ ܡ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ ܰܟ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫݂ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰܚ ̈ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܒ ݂‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘And now, surely, those younger than I 1 laugh at me, those whose fathers I despised,

and I did not consider them alongside the dogs of my flocks.



And as for the strength of their hands, of what benefit would it have been for me? For all vigor has gone out from upon them.

 4 

Forcefully, it 2 gushes forth upon them, as a thief in the vigor of the streams, 3 to dwell in the crags of the ground and the stones, and under cliffs, and under thickets.

Foolish children shall be overthrown along with the reprobate children. There, they shall be brought lower than the earth.



And now, I have become their consideration,



They rejected me and departed from me,



Because they began after me, they yet humbled me,



They rose up along my right side and entangled my feet,

and I have become an astonishment to them! and they did not refrain from spitting in my face. and they placed His bridle in my mouth.

and they entangled me in the paths of their ways.

‘younger than I’: lit. ‘who are younger than I in days’. ‘it’ (masc.) or ‘he’: referent unclear. 3 ‘streams’. But Išoʿdād interprets as a dry wadi in which the thief hides; Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 55). 4 Numeration in the Mosul edition skips over verses 4, 5, and 7. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܠ‪.‬‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܳܗܐ ݂ܓ ܶܚ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܥܠܝ‪ :‬ܐܝܠܝܢ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܺܨ ܺܝܪܝܢ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ݁ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ � ݂ ܳܒ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܐܝܠܝܢ ܕܐܢܐ ܐܣܠ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܒ ݂ܬ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܥܰܡ ݁ ܰܟ ̈� ݁ ܶܒܐ ݂ܕ ܳ�ܢ̈ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܚ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܐ ܙܶܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܠܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܚܝ� ݂ ܺܕܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ܰܐ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ܝܕ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܶܗ ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܢܶ ݁ ܰܒܥ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܫܢܐ ݂ܕ� ݂ܓܠ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܓܢ ݂ܒܐ ݂ܒܥ‬ ‫݂ܘܒ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܠܡܫܪ ܐ ݂ܒܚܘ�ܢܐ ݂ܕܥ ݂ܦܪ ܐ ݂ܘܟܐ ݂ܦܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰܘܬ ܶܚܝܬ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳܚ ݁ ̈ܶܓܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܩ ̈ܝ ݂ܦܐ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܶܚ ݂‬ ‫݂ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܳ‬ ‫ܣܬ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܚܦܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܝܐ ܳܫܛ ̈ܝܐ ܥܰܡ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܝܐ ܰ� ̈ܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܶܪ ܺܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪:‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ݂‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܬܪ ܰܚܩ ̱ܘ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܣ�ܝ ̱‬ ‫ܚܣ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܐ ݁ ܰ ̈ܦܝ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪ ̱ܝ ܰܫ ܺܪܝܘ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ ݂ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܘܡ ݁ܟ ݂ ܽܟ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܡܝܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܦ ܽ ݂ܓ ݁ܘܕ ݁ܬܗ ݁ܒ ݂ܦ ̱‬ ‫ܝܢܝ ܳܩܡ ̱ܘ‪ :‬ܘܥܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܩܠ ̱ܘ � ܶ� ݂ܓܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܰܠ ܝܰ ܺܡ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ݁ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܒ ̈�� ݂ ܽܕܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܘܥܪܩܠ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



I would examine their paths,

and return and live as a king with his army, and as a man consoling the mourners.’



‫‪ ‬ܟܗ‬

‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܒܨܶ ܐ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܗܦ ݂ܘܟ ܶܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܫܪ ܐ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ݂ܒ ܰܚܝܠܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰ� ݂ ܺܒ ̈� ܶ� ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܒ ܰܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

     

The blessing of the perishing would come upon me, and I made glad the heart of the widow.

I was clothed in truth, and it clothed me as a judge’s robe and crown. 1 I became eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.

I became a father to the poor, and I searched out a ruling I did not understand. I would crush the jaws of the reprobate, and I released prey from between his teeth. And I said, “I shall save an impoverished people, and I shall pass away as a reed,

and I shall increase my days as the sand of the seas.”



— My roots are planted above the waters, yet the shadow persists overnight,

and I was summoned during the harvest-time.

  

My nation has been captured, and my bow removed from 2 my hand! — So if they heard me, and hoped, and listened to my counsel,

and they did not stray from my words, my word was pleasant to them.



They waited for me as for the rain;



I would laugh at them, and they will not believe;

they opened their mouth as for the heavy rain. 3

they will not walk in the light of my countenance.

‘judge’s robe and crown’: lit. ‘robe and crown of judgment’. ‘removed from’: lit. ‘changed in’. 3 ‘heavy rain’ or ‘August rain’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫݁ܽ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܺܐܒ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ܥܠ ܰܝ ݁ܬ ܽܥܘܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒܘܪܟ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܠܒܐ ݂ܕܐܪܡ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ܰܚ ݁ ܺܕ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܫܬܐ ܶܠ ݂ܒ ܶܫ ݂ܬ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܢܝ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܦ ܺܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ ܰܘ ݂ܟܠܝ� ݂ܕ݂ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݂ܒ ܰܫ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ� ̈�ܢܶܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܘܝ ܶ� ܐ‪ :‬ܘ ܶ� ݂ܓ� ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ݁ܓ ܶ� ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂‬ ‫ܳ̈ܶ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݂ ܳܒܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܰܒ ݁ܕ ܶܩ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ݂‬ ‫ܘܕ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ܕ� ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂‬ ‫ܠܒܝܫܐ‪݂ .‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫݁ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܶܫ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܰ� ܳܘ�‪ܰ :‬ܘܚܛ ݂ܘܦ ܳܝܐ ܐ ݁ܦ ܶܩ ݂ܬ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂‬ ‫ܬ ݂ܒܪ ݂ܬ ܺ� ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܒ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܟ ܳܢܐ ܐ ݂ܦ ܽܪܘܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܡܪ ݂ܬ ܥܡܐ ܡ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܰܩ ܳܢܝܐ ܐܫܠ ܰܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܳܚ ܳ� ݂ܕܝܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܐ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܓܐ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܫ� ܰܫܝ ܺܢܨ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܒܝܢ ܥܰܠ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܛ ܳ�� ݂ ܽܢܒ ݂ܘܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܨ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ ܶܐ ݂ܬ ܶ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝܕܝ ܶܐܬ ܰܚ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܩ ݁‬ ‫�ܦ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܶܚ ݂ܕ ܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܫܬ ̱ܝ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ̱ ݂‬

‫ܟܐ ܶܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܠܘ ܰܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ̱ܘ ܠ ܽܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ܘ ܰܣ ݁ ܰܒܪ ̱ܘ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܠܟ ̱‬ ‫ܡܥ ̱‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ܳܓ ܰ ̈ܡܝ ܳ� ܛܥܰܘ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܟܒ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ݁ ܶܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܡ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܬ ܶܡܠ ܰ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܓ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܟܝܘ ܺܠܝ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܛܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܪܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܗܘܢ ݁ܦܥܰܪ ̱ܘ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܕ ܰܠ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܟܕ ܰܐܓ ܶܚ ݂ܟ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ܳܘ� ܰܢܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܡܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܒ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕܐ ݁ ̈ܦܝ � ܰܢܗ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



And Job continued his parable:



‘But oh, that He would do with me as in past months,



He set an awe of Him 2 over my head

as in His days, the days of God, 1 He guarded me! when His lamp was extended above me, and I walked in the dark by His light.



As if I were in the days of my favor,

4

when the Almighty encompassed my youth;

when God used to protect 3 my tent above me —



when I went out to the gate and called out,



The youths saw me and hid themselves,



The rulers held back their words,



The voice of the authorities who were in hiding,



because the ear that heard, commended me,



and I sat down in the street as does the poor person. and the elders rose up and admired me.

and they placed their hands over their mouth.

their tongue stuck to the roofs of their mouth —

and the eye that saw, testified about me;

because I had delivered the poor from distress and the orphan who had no helper.

‘as in His days, the days of God’: lit. ‘as days of God’. ‘awe of Him’: lit. ‘His fear’. 3 ‘protect’. See also Job 3:23. 4 The numeration in Mosul skips over verse 6. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܟܛ‪.‬‬

‫ܰ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܡܬܠ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ܶܠܗ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܘܣ ݂ܦ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܠܡ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܕ ̱ܢܝ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܝ� ܶܚܐ ܰܩ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳܡ ܶܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ̈ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܛܪ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܝܘܡ ݂‬ ‫݁ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܚܠܬܗ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܫܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ �ܥ ܶܠ ܶܡܢ ܪ ̱‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܡ ݂ܦ ܰܪܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܪ ݂ܶܓܗ ܥ ܶ ܰ� ܰܘܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܒ ܽܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܪܗ ܰܗ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܟ ݂ܬ ݁ܒ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܕ ̱ܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ܶܚ ݂‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݁ ܶܓܢ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܥ ܶ ܰ� ܰܘܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܟ ̱‬ ‫ܚܕܝܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܠܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܡ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܢܶ ݂ܦ ܶܩ ݂ܬ ݂‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܐ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܳܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܝ ܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܥ� ̈ܝ ܶܡܐ ܶܘ ݁ܐܬܛ ܺܫܝܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܡ ̱ܘ ܳܣ ݂ ̈ܒܐ ܶܘ ݁ܐܬ ݁ ܰܕ ܰܡܪ ̱ܘ ݁ ܺܒܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒܢܶܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܟܠܝܘ ݁ܒ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܺܘܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ ܳܣܡ ̱ܘ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܦ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܩ� ݂ܕ ܰܫ ܺ� ̈ܝܛܢܶܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݁ܬܛ ܶܫܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܠ ܳܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒܩ ܰܠ ̈ܫ ܰܡܝ ܶܚ ݁ܟ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݀ ܰ݁ܰ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ ݂ܐܕܢܐ ݂ܕܫܡܥ ݂ܬ‪ :‬ܫܒ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܰ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙ ݂ܬ݀ ܰܣ ܶܗ݁ܕ ݁ܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܡ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܛ ݂ܬ ܶ‬ ‫�ܝ ݂ܬ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܘ�ܨ ܳܢܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܟ ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܡܥܰ ݁ܕ ܳܪ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ ݂ܦ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



For it is He who sees the end of everything on the earth,



— who has established a balance-scale for the wind

  

and He looks out under the whole heaven

and has set in order the waters 1 by measure.

He has established a law for the rain, and a way for the visions of thunder. 2 Then He saw her, and told of her, and weighed her, and also examined her. He has said to a person, “The fear of God, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.”’ 3

‘waters’: LP and some MSS read ‘a weight’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. ‘thunder’: lit. ‘sound’, ‘noise’. 3 Compare with Psalms 97:10 and 111:10. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܟܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܘ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܙ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܚ‬

‫ܠܣ ݂ܘܦ ݁ ܽܟܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܽܗܘ ܳܚ ܶܙ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܳܚ ܶܙ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܶܚ ݂‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ܳܩ ܳ� ܽ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫�ܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܝܐ ܐ ݂ܬܩܢ ܒ ݂ܟܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܣܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܳܢ ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܛܪ ܐ‪ܽ :‬ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘܪܚܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܚ ̈ܙ ܳܘܢܶܐ ݂ܕ ܳܩ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ݁ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܩ� ̇ܗ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܦ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܕ ܳܩ ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܝܕܝܢ ܚܙ ̇ܗ ܘܐܫܬܥܝ ̇ܗ‪ .‬ܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ݁ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܺܗܝ ܺ ̱ܗܝ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ݂‬ ‫ܠܒܪܢܫܐ‪ :‬ܕܚܠ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܐ ݂ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܠܡܤܛܐ ܡܢ ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

    

But wisdom, where can she be found?

And where is the place of her understanding?

One does not know her treasure, nor can she be found but in the place of the living. The Abyss says, “She is not in me!”

And the Sea says, “She is not by me!”

Gold cannot be given in exchange for her, nor can silver be counted out for her prices. She cannot be exchanged with the gold of Ophir, and with beryls, and with the sapphire.



Gold cannot compare with her, neither 1 crystals nor valuable pearls;



For wisdom is better than valuable stones;

coins and wine cannot equal her.

a splendid garment 2 cannot compare to her,

and she cannot be bartered in emeralds and in agate.



Wisdom is better than everything, and nothing compares to her.



Whence does wisdom come?



She is hidden from the eyes of all the living,

 

Pearls from Kush and the stones of the ephod cannot compare to her. 3 And where is the place of her understanding? and from the bird of the sky she is concealed.

Annihilation and Death said, “We have heard a rumor about her 4 with our ears.” For it is God who makes us understand her ways, and it is He who knows her place.

‘neither’: lit. ‘and’. ‘splendid garment’. For an interpretation of this ambiguous Syr. word, see Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 50); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 202). 3 Compare verses 15–19 with Exodus 28:12–21. 4 ‘a rumor about her’: lit. ‘her rumor’. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܐܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܟܐ ݂ܬܶ ݁‬ ‫ܫܬ ݂ ܰܟܚ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܒ ܘ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܐ ݂ܬ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܽܣ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܳ� ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ ݁ܰ ܳ ̇ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܫܬ ݂ܟ ܳܚܐ ܐ� ܐܢ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܐܬ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ̈ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܓ � ܝ ݂ܕܥ ܐ̱ܢܫ ܓܙܗ‪ :‬ܘ� ܡ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܳ� ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕ ݁ܬ ܽܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂ܬ݀ ݁ ܺܒܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܝܰ ܳܡܐ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܗ‪ܳ .‬ܘ� ܶܡܬܡܢܶܐ ݂ ܶܟ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܒܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܝ ܶܗ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܦܐ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ܕ ̈ܡ ̇‬ ‫ܚ� ݂ ܶܦ ̇‬ ‫ܝܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܝܗ � ܡ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܺ ܰ ݁ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܒܐ ݂ܕܐܘܦܝܪ‪ :‬ܘ ݂ܒܒ�ܘ� ܘ ݂ܒܣܦܝ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܘ � ܡ ݂ܬܚ ݂‬ ‫�ܦܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܙ ܳ� ݂ ܳܦ ܶܚܡ ܳ� ̇ܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܒܐ ܰܘܙ ܽ ݂ܓ ̈ܘ ݂ܓ ܳܝ ݂ܬܐ‪ :‬ܘ ܰܡ� ݁ ܳܓ ܳܢܝ ݂ܬܐ ܛ ݂ ̈ܒ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܘܡ ܶ� ܐ ܳ� ݂ ܳܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܛ ݂ ̈ܒܥ ܶܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܡܝܢ ܳ� ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚ ܛ ݂ ܳܒܐ ̱ܗܝ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܺܟܐ ݂ ̈ܦܐ ܛ ݂ ̈ܒ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ̇ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ݁ܘܬ ݂ ܳܟܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܗ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫� ݂ܦܚܡ �ܗ ܦ ݂‬ ‫ܙܡ� ݁ܓ ݂ ܶܕ ܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ܒ ܰܩ� ݁ ܶܟ ݂ܕܢܶܐ ܳ� ܶܡܬ ܰܚ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܰ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫�ܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ � ݂ ܳܦ ܶܚܡ ܳ� ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܛ ܛ ݂ ܳܒܐ ̱ܗܝ ݁ ܶܓܝܪ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ݂ ̈ܦܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܦ ݁ܕ ݂ܬܐ � ݂ ܳܦ ̈ܚ ܳܡܢ ܳ� ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܡ� ݁ ܳܓ ܳܢܝ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܟܘܫ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܟ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ ܐܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܟܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ܳ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܝܢܘ ܰܐ ݂ܬ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܽܣ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܳ� ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܐ ݁ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܝܐ ̱ܗܝ ܶܡܢ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝ ݁ ܽܟܠ ݁ܕ ܰܚܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܣ ݁ܬ ܳܪ ܐ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܦܪ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡܥܢ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܐ ܶܐ ܰܡܪ ̱ܘ‪݁ :‬ܕ ݂ ܶܒܐ ݂ ̈ܕ ܰܢܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܒ ܐ ݂ܒܕ ܢܐ ܘܡ‬ ‫ܡܥ ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܓ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝܢܢ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܝܘ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ݁ ܽܕ ݁ܘܟ ݂ܬ ̇ܗ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘For there is a mine for silver and a place where they are sluicing 1 for gold,



and iron is cast from dust,



He set a limit upon the darkness, for He understands every end:



They inherited the mine shaft 2 from a foreign people;



They uncovered the earth whence sustenance comes,



and brass, from stones.

the rock of the dark recess and the shadow of death.

they are forgotten by feet, and they are made smaller by people. and it is overturned underneath, as if by fire. 3

Its stones are the place of sapphire, and a sievefull 4 of gold is in its paths.



The bird 5 has not known of it,



The wild animals have not walked upon it,



He stretched forth his hand upon the rocks of flint,



By his own strength, he would separate the rivers,



He imprisoned the strong current of the rivers,

and the eye of the kite 6 has not seen it.

and neither has the lion prowled by it.

and he has overturned mountains by their roots.

and his eye sought out anything valuable. and light emerged from the covering.

‘sluicing for’ or ‘purifying’. 2 ‘mine shaft’: lit. ‘hole’ or ‘fissure’. 3 ‘as if by fire’: lit. ‘as if fire’. 4 ‘sievefull’ or ‘a flow’. 5 ‘bird’: poss. ‘raptor’. Also in Job 39:15. 6 ‘kite’: poss. a general term for ‘bird of prey’. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܟܚ‪.‬‬

‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܟ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܬ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫�ܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܦܐ ܰܢ ݁ܦ ܳܩܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫܚܠܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܒܐ‬ ‫ܘ ܶܡܛܠ ݁ ܺܕ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܙ� ܶܡܢ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܣ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܦ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ ܺܟܐ ݂ ̈ܦܐ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܣ ݂ܟ ܳܢܚ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܟܠ ܰܣ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܩ ܳܨ ܐ ܳܣܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܦܐ ܽܗܘ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫݁ ܺܟ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܦܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܘܛܠܠܗ ݁ܕ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ ܺ� ܶܪܬܘ ܶܡܢ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܺܓ ܽܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܬܘܪ ݂ ݂ ̱‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܐ ݁ܬܛܥܺܝܘ ܶܡܢ � ݂ܓܠ ݂ܬܐ‪ܶ .‬ܘ ݁ܐܬ ݁ ܰܕ ܰܠܠ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܓܠ ܰܘ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ܳܢ ̇ܗ ܳܢ ݂ ܶܦܩ ܳܡ ܽܙ ܳܘܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܬ ܽܚܘܬܶ ̇ܝܗ ܶܡܬ ܰܗ ݁ ܰܦܟ ܰܐܝܟ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ ݂ ݂‬ ‫݂ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܚ� ݂ܕ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܦܝ� ݂ ܺܟܐ ݂ ܶܦ ̈ܝ ̇ܗ‪ܳ .‬‬ ‫ܗܒܐ ݂ ܰܒܫ ݂ ܺܒ ̈ܝܠ ܶ ̇‬ ‫ܝܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܕܘܟ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܺܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬ ̇ܗ ܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫� ܝ ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ̇ ܺ ݁ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܚܙ ݂ܬܗ ܥܝܢ ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ݂ ܰܕ � ܳܫ ̇ܗ ܰܚ ̈� ܳܘ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܥܠ ̇‬ ‫ܝܗ ܐ ܳܪ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ݂ ܺܟ ݂ܐܦ ܰܛ ܳ� ܺܢܝܢ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫܛ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܟ ܶܡܢ ܥ ܶ ܳܩ ܰ� ܽܝܗܘܢ ܛܘ�ܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܦܠ ݂ܓ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒܚܘܣܢܗ ܢܗ�ܘܢ ݂‬ ‫ܽ ܺ‬ ‫� ܳܝܩܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙ ݂ܬ݀ ܥܰܝܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܢܐ ݂ܕ ܰܢܗ ܰ� ܳܘ ݂ܬܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܒܫ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܦܩ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܬܚܦ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Surely, all of you have seen it,



Surely, this is the share of the wicked person before God



If their children multiply, it is for the sword,



The remainder 1 shall be buried in death,



If they collect silver as dust and make clothes as clay,



so why do you vainly boast?

and the inheritance of those who do evil, that they shall receive from the Almighty: and their offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. and their widows shall not cry out.

they would make them, but the righteous shall wear them and distribute their silver.



For he has built his house as a spider does his house, 2



Because the rich shall lie down and not get up again;



Confusion shall overtake him as water,



The wind shall carry him away during the night,



And it 4 shall cast him out without mercy,



He shall shake his fist 6 at them and taunt 7 them from his place.’

and he has made his roof as a shelter. he opens his eyes, and he is not! and as a storm that flies by. 3

and he shall go, and they shall expel him from his place. and he shall certainly flee from its power. 5

‘remainder’: lit. ‘rest of them’. ‘does his house’: lit. ‘his house’. On spider imagery, see also Job 8:14. 3 ‘flies by’: lit. ‘flies’. 4 ‘it (masc.) … its’: referent unclear, poss. ‘He … His’. 5 ‘power’: lit. ‘hand’. 6 ‘shake his fist’: lit. ‘strike out/clap his hand’ 7 ‘taunt’: lit. ‘hiss against’. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܒ ܳܗܐ ܰܐܢ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ ݁ ܽܟ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܙ ݁ܝܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܟܘܢ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܺ ܳܺ‬ ‫݁ܽ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܰܪܘ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪܒܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ܬܘܢ ܣܪܝܩܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ ܰܪ ܺܫ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܥܐ ܶܡܢ‬ ‫ܝܓ ܳܗܐ ܳܗ݂ ܳܕ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܡܢ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ݁ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݂ ̈ܶܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܫܢܶܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡܢ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܢܩ ݁ܒܠܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܝܪܬ ݂‬ ‫ܣܓܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ ܠ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܶܐܢ ܢܶ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܣܒ ܽܥܘܢ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܝܰ ܽ� ̈ܘ݂ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ ܳ� ܢܶ ݁‬ ‫ܚܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܗ ܰܫ ݁ܪܟ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܩ ݂ܒ ܽܪܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܐ�ܡܠ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ � ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ ̈ܟ ܳܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ ݁ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܢܘܢ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܛܺ ܳܝܢܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܒ ̈ܘ ܶܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܘ ܐܢ ݂ܢܟܢܫܘܢ ܟ‬ ‫ܣܦܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫�ܒܫ‪ܶ ݂ .‬‬ ‫ܘܟ ݁‬ ‫ܝܙ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܢܘܢ‪ܰ :‬ܘܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܳܝܩܐ ܢܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܠ ݂ܓ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܦ ܽܗܘܢ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܚ ܒܢܐ ݂ܓܝܪ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܓܘ ݂ܓܝ ܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܛܠܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܡܛ ݂‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܰ݁ܺ‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܦ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ܳܝܪ ܐ ܢܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟ ݂ܒ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܩܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܛ ܡܛܠ ܕܥ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܦ ݂ܬܚ‪ :‬ܘܠ ݂‬ ‫ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱‬ ‫݁ ܽ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܕܠ‬ ‫ܘܚܝܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܟ ܰܢ ݂ܕܪ ݂ܟܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܽ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܟ ݂ܘܟ ݂‬ ‫݁ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ݂ܒܠ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܐ ܬܫܩܠܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺܘܢ ܰܐܙܠ‪ :‬ܘܢܶ ݂ܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܩܘܢܶܗ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܒ ݂ܘܬܶ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܕܝ ̱‬ ‫ܥܪܩ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܐ ܺܝ ݂ ܶܕܗ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܥܪܘܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܕܗ‪ܰ .‬ܘܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܪܩ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܛ ܶܪ ݂ܦ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



And Job continued his parable: 1



‘As God lives, who has obstructed my case,



The spirit 2 of God is in my nostrils!

  

and the Almighty, who has embittered my soul, wholly inside of me.

If my lips speak iniquity; if my tongue, fraud,

have pity on me — until I die, my integrity will not pass from me! For I shall persevere in my righteousness, and I shall not grow lax;

my conscience 3 has not grieved 4 me throughout my life. 5



May my enemy be as the wicked,



What is the hope of the ungodly one who possesses wealth,



and he that hates me as the reprobate.

in the moment when God takes his soul from him?

Because God does not hear the voice of his prayer when evil comes upon him.



If he trusts in the Almighty and calls always upon God,



But as for you all, 6 I am giving you over to the power 7 of God,

God will answer him and listen to him.

from Whom your deeds are not hidden.

‘his parable’: lit. ‘to parable his parable.’ ‘spirit’ or ‘wind’. See Job 26:4. 3 ‘conscience’: lit. ‘heart’. 4 ‘grieved’: lit. ‘tightened’ or ‘constrained’. 5 ‘throughout my life’: lit. ‘from my days’. 6 ‘you all’: the word ‘you’ in verses 11–12 is plural. 7 ‘power’: lit. ‘hand’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܟܙ‪.‬‬

‫ܰ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܡܬܠ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ܶܠܗ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܘܣ ݂ܦ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪ :‬ܠܡ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܰܚܝ ܽܗܘ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪܩܠ ݁ ܺܕ ̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫�ܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܳ� ̇ܗ ݁ ܺܒܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܽܘܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܚܝ ܰ�ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫̈ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܢܡܠܠ ܢܶ ݂ܟ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܝ ܐܢ‬ ‫ܐܢ ܢ ܰܡܠܠܢ ܶܣ ݂ܦ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܥܘ�‪ :‬ܘܠܫ ̱‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ݁ ܰܬ ܺܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܶܕ ܽܐܡ ݂ܘܬ‪݂ �ܳ :‬ܬܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܚܣ ܺܠܝ‪ܰ ݂ :‬‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܡ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܽܝܩ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ ܶܐ ܰܚ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܣܢ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ܰܪ ݁ ܶܦܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܰܨܪ ݂ܦ ܺܠܝ ܶܠ ݁ܒ ̱ܝ ܶܡܢ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܪ ܺܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܥܐ ݂ܒܥ ܶ ݁‬ ‫ܠܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܒ ̱ܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܣܢܐ ̱ܝ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰ� ܳܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܡ ܰܢܘ ܰܣ ݂ܒ ܶܪܗ ݁ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܦܐ ݂ ܰܕܩܢܶܐ ܢܶ ݂ ̈ܟ ܶܣܐ‪:‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ܶ� ݁ ܳܕ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܳܫ ܶܩܠ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫݁ܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫݁ܺ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܒ‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ� ܳܫ ܰܡܥ ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܩܠ ܨܠ ݂ܘܬܗ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܟ ݂ܕ ܬ ݂ܐܬܐ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܪ ܐ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܟܠ ܶ� ݁ ܳܕܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܥܰܠ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܶܟܠ‪ :‬ܘܢ‬ ‫ܰܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܘܢܶܫܡܥܝ ̱‬ ‫ܢܶܥܢܶܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܟܘܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܰܡܫܠ ܶܡ ܐ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫݂ܽ‬ ‫ܠܟܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰܝ ݂ܕ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ ܰܕ ̈ܝ ݁ ܽܟܘܢ ܶܡܢܶܗ � ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܶܣܝܢ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

By His spirit He guides the sky, and His hand has killed the snake that fled. 1 Surely, all these are but a part of 2 His ways.

What evil saying has ever been heard about Him?

And who can comprehend the enormity of His mighty strength?’

1 ‘snake that fled’. See Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 47); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 200). 2 ‘a part of’ or ‘the end of’.



‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫ܡܕ ݁ ܰܒܪ‪ܶ .‬‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܛܠ ܰ ݂ ݀‬ ‫݁ܒ ܽܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܬ ܐܺ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܕܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܪܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܶܩ ܰܨ ݂ܬ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝܢܐ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ܳܓܡ ݁ ܺܒܝܫ ܶܐ ݁‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܬ ܰܡܥ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܽܪ ݂ܘܬܗ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܳ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

X

  

Chapter  And Job answered:

‘Why do you 1 help out, without strength;

and you free the arm, without force?

Why have you planned without wisdom, yet you have revealed so much instruction?



To whom have you revealed words?



Surely, the mighty ones shall be slaughtered,



Sheol is uncovered before Him,

     

And whose breath 2 has derived from you? and they shall be quieter than the waters. and there is no covering for the place of annihilation.

He has stretched the North from devastation and suspended the earth upon nothing. He has stored up the waters in His clouds, and not a cloud has split apart under them. He has shut up the covering, 3 and has spread out the cloud upon it.

He has inscribed a circle upon the surface of the waters, until where the light ends with the darkness.

The pillars of heaven shudder, and they would become astonished at His reprimand.

By His power He reproaches the sea, and by His wisdom He sustains many. 4

‘you’ in verses 2–4 is singular. ‘whose breath’: lit. ‘breath/soul of whom’. 3 ‘has shut up the covering’: lit. ‘has grasped the faces of the covering/garment’. 4 ‘sustains many’ or ‘makes many live’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܨܚ ܝ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܟܘ‪.‬‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܡ ܰ� ݁ ܰܕܪ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ܕ� ܺܚܝܠ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦ ܶܪܩ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ܕ ܳܪ ܳܥܐ ݂ܕ ܳ� ݂ܒ ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ‪ .‬ܘ ܽܝ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕ ݁‬ ‫ܘܠܦ ܳܢܐ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ܳܝܐܐ ܰܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܢܐ ܐ ݂ܬܪܥ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܕ� ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܺ ݁ ̈ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܡܢ ܚܘܝܬ ܡ�‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡܢ ܢܶ ݂ܦ ܰܩ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܬ ܶܡ ܳܢ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܫ ݂‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ݂ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܶ� ܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܩܛܠܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ ܢܶܫܠܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܛ ܳ� ܳܝܐ ̱ܗܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܬ ݂ܟ ܺܣܝ � ݂ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܠ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܒܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ܬ ܳ� ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܚ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ܪܒ ܳܝܐ ܶܡܢ ܽܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܥܰܠ � ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܨܪ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ ݂ ܰܒܥ̈ ܳ� ܰܢܘ ̱ܗܝ‪ .‬ܘ� ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒܙܥܰ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܥ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܬ ܽܚ ݂ܘܬ ܽܝܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܰ̈ ݁ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ܦ ܰܪܣ �ܥ ܶܠ ܶܡ ܳܢ ̇ܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܥ� ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܚ ݂ܕ ܒܐܦܝ ܬ ݂ܟܣ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓ ݂ܬܐ ܥܰ� ݁ ̈ܦܝ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܪܫܡ ܚ ݂‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰܕܫܠ ܶܡ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܥܰܡ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܰ ݂‬ ‫ܳܶ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܳ�ܥܠ ܺܝܢ‪ .‬ܘܢܶ ݂ܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܰ ܽܡ ̈ܘ݂ ܰܕܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܗܘܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ܟܐ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܚܝܠܗ ݁ ܳܓܥܰܪ ݁ܒ ܰܝ ܳܡܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ܒ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܗ ܰܡܐ ܶܚܐ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

Bildad the Shuhite replied:

Chapter 

‘Authority and awe 1 are with Him; He has established peace in His heights.



His strength is immeasurable. 2



Yet how can one be innocent apart from God? 3



Understand, the moon cannot be innocent,



Truly, then, humankind is a maggot; and a human being, a worm!’

And on whom does His light not shine?

Or how is one born of a woman innocent? and the stars are not innocent before Him.

‘awe’ or ‘fear’. ‘His strength is immeasurable’: lit. ‘There is no number to His strength’. 3 ‘apart from God’ or poss. ‘according to God’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫ܟܗ‪.‬‬

‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܝܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ݂ܕ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܫ� ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܒܡ ܰ� ܰ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ‪ܰ ݂ .‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܘܠܛܢܐ ݂ܘܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܘܡ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݁‬ ‫ܠܚܝܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܶܡ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳ� ܳܕ ܰܢܚ ܽܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܳܢܐ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܙܟܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܰܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟ ܳܢܐ ܳܙ ݂ ܶܟܐ ܝܺܠ ݂ܝܕ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܪ ܐ ܳ� ܶܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܙܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟ ̈ܘ ݁ܟ ݂ ܶܒܐ ܳ� ܰܙ ݁ ܳܟ ܺ̈ܝܝܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ݁ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ̱ܗܘ‪ܰ ݂ :‬‬ ‫ܘ�ܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܪܝܪܐ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ ܕܝܢ ܐ̱ܢܫܐ ܪ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



They have been forgotten by the womb; the maggot has sucked upon them,

and the dead shall no longer be remembered,

and the reprobate one shall be shattered like timber,



and the evil, childless woman shall not give birth,



The property of the strong shall stand by its 1 own strength,



He shall dwell in stillness and shall be self-assured,



A little while 2 and they are no more,

and they shall not do good to the widow.

and he shall not have faith in that which is seen. and his eyes shall be raised upon their ways.

and all those that quarrel shall be humbled and destroyed,

and as seed-heads of grain they shall dry up and be crushed.



If his anger was not so, He 3 shall declare me false,

and my word shall be taken into account before God.’

‘its’ (masc.) or ‘his’. ‘A little while’. See also v. 18, ‘fleeting’. 3 ‘If His anger was not so, He shall declare’: punct. difference; LP and many MSS read ‘If it was not so, His anger shall declare’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܶܘ ݁ܐܬܛܥܺܝܘ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ݁ܪܒ ܳܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݀ ܶܽ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡ ݂ܬܩ ݂ܬ ܐܢܘܢ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܺ ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ̈ܝ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܘܒ � ܢܶ ݁ܬ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܽܪܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܰܒܪ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ ܰ� ܳܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܐ ܳ� ݂ ܺܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܩ ݂ܪܬܐ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܐܠ ݂ܕ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ � ܐܛܐ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ�ܪܡ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܺܫ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ܒ ܰܚܝܠܗ ܽܢܩܘܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܰܢܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܡܢ ݁ܒ ܶܚ ܳܙܘܐ‪.‬‬

‫ܟܓ ܘܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ݂ܒ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܘܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܶܟܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܺ� ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܥ‬ ‫ܘ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܕ ܰܩܠܝܠ ܘܠ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܺܘܢ ݂ܐܒ ݁ ܽܕܘܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰܡ� ݁ܓ ܳܙ ܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ݂ܕ ܶܫ ݁ ̈ܒ ܶ� ܺܢ ݂ܐܒ ܽܫܘܢ ܘܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܦ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܺܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓ ܶܙܗ‪ܰ ݂ :‬ܢܟ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ̱‬ ‫ܟܗ ܘܐܢ � ̱ܗܘܐ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫݂ܘܬܶ ݂ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܶܡܠ ܰ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܫ ݂ܒ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



They sometimes will remain hungry during their meals,



Yet, from the middle of the city the dying will groan,

and they will tread the wine press, still thirsting. and the soul of the slain will cry out,

but God shall not receive their prayer.



Those ones were in the dwelling places of light, yet they have not recognized His ways, neither have they walked in His paths.



In broad daylight the killer rises up, and he murders the poor and the needy; in the night, he is as the thief.



The eyes of adulterers anticipate the darkness; they say, “An eye will not see us!”,

and he hides his face in the darkness.





In the darkness, he breaks into houses,

and in the daytime he closes them up tight, so that they cannot see the light.

Therefore, they sought out the shadow of death for themselves, and they found it; the shadows of death terrified them.



Fleeting 1 and upon the surface of the waters, their share shall be cursed upon the earth, in the way of the vineyards. 2



Droughts and heat shall steal away the snow waters. They sinned in Sheol.

‘Fleeting’ or ‘Insignificant’. 2 ‘in the way of the vineyards’: punct. difference; LP and many MSS read this clause with the beginning of the next verse: ‘In the way of the vineyards are droughts’. 1



‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒ ݂ ܰܙܒܢ ܢܶ ݂ܟ ݁ܦ ܽܢܘܢ ݁ܒ ܳܫ� ܳܘ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܥܨ ܳ�ܢ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܨܪܘܢ ܘܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܨܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܢܩܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܰܓܘ ܩܪ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܡܝ ݂ܬܐ ܢ ݂‬ ‫ܺ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܰܕܩܛ ̈�� ݂ܬ ݂ܓܥ ܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܳ� ܰܢܩ ݁ ܶܒܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܠ ݂ܘܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ݁ܒ ܶܡܕ ܳ� ܰ�ܝ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪ܳ .‬ܘ� ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܟܡ ̱ܘ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܰܗ ܶܠܟܘ ݁ ܰܒ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ ̱ ݂‬ ‫ܫܒ ̈ܝܠ ̱‬ ‫݁ܒ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܳܩܐܶܡ ܳܩ ܽܛ ܳܘ�‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܘܩ ܶܛܠ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܡ ̈ܣ ݁ ܺܟܢܶܐ ܰܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܒ ̈ܝ ܶܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒܠ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܳܗ ܶܘܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܓ ܳܢ ݂ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘ� ̈�ܢܶܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܰܓ ܳ� ܶ� ܐ ܢܶܛ ܳ�ܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܝܢ ܳ� ݂ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙܝܢ ܥܰ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܰܐ ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܒ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܣ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫݁ ܳܦܠ ܶܫ ݁ܒ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ݂ ܳܒ ݁ܬܝ ̈ܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙܘܢ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܡ ܽ‬ ‫݂ܺ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪݁ .‬ܕ ܳ� ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܡܚ‬ ‫ܽ ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܬܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܫܟܚ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ݂ܒܥܰܘ �ܗܘܢ ܛܠܠܗ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܝܘ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܛܠ ܳܠ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܒ ܺ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ـܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܕ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܡܢ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫� ݁ ܰ ̈ܦܝ ܰܡ ܳ ̈ܝܐ‪݁ .‬ܬܶ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܩܠܝܠ ܘܥ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪:‬‬ ‫݁ ܽܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܘܪܚ ݁ ܰܟ� ܺܡܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‪ :‬ܢܶ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܨ ̈ܗ ܳܘܢܶܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܛܦܘܢ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܡ ܳ ̈ܝܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܬ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܓܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫݂ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܚܛܘ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘Why, therefore, are the reprobate not concealed from God,



They moved the boundary marker,



They led away the orphan’s donkey,



The poor hide themselves from the way,

  

since they have recognized 1 but never seen their days? and they led away the flock.

and they take as a pledge the widow’s ox. and the humble of the earth hide themselves altogether.

As wild asses in the wilderness, they rise early for food — bread for their young. In the field they will reap straw which is not theirs,

and they will glean from the vineyards of the wicked.

He spends the night naked, without clothing, and he lacks a garment in the cold.



They will become soaked from the heavy rain of the mountains,



They will steal the plunder of orphans,



Naked, they have walked about, lacking clothes;

and they will clasp the rock from a lack of shelter. and they will fix in place debts upon the poor. and hungry, they have snatched away bread; and between meals they are faint; 2

and they are famished when they carry the grain and the measure.

‘recognized’: lit. ‘known’; LP and many MSS read ‘have become known’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 2 ‘are faint’: lit. ‘bowed down’. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫ܟܕ‪.‬‬

‫ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ � ܐ ݁ܬܛ ܺܫܝܘ ܰ� ̈ܘ ܺܠܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܙܘ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܺܘ ݂ ܰܝܕܥ ̱ܘ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ܰ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܽܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܫ ܺܢܝܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܓ ܳܙ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܒܪ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕܝܰ ݂ܬ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܒܪ ̱ܘ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳ ̇ ݁ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܫܟܢ ̱ܘ ܬܘܪܗ ܕܐܪܡ‬ ‫ܶܐ ݁ܬ ܰܛ ܺܫܝܘ ݁ ܳܒ ̈ܝ ܶܫܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܐܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ ܐ ݁ܬܛ ܺܫܝܘ ܰܡ ݁ ܺܟ ̈ܝ ݂ ܶܟ ̇‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܰܠܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܥ ܳ� ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ݂ܒ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܬܐ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡ ݂ܘܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܩ ݁ܕ ܺܡܝܢ ܠܡܐ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ ݂ܕ ܳ� ݂ ܺܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܩ� ܰܚ ܺܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܝ�ܗܘܢ ܢܶܚܨ ݂ ܽܕܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܒܚ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟ� ܶܡܐ ݂ܕ ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ ܢܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܫܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܛ ܳ� ܳܝܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ܒܠ ܰܝ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ܒܥܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒܐ ݂ܬ ܥ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ‪ .‬ܘܠܝܬ ܬ ݂ܟܣ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݁ܕ ܽܛܘ ܶ� ܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܪ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܛܒܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܢ ܙܪ ݂ܝܦ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ܰ ܶ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܟܐ ݂ ܳܦܐ ܢܥܰ ݁ܦ ܽܩܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܒܠܝ ܣ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܰ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܚܛܦܘܢ ܡܢ ܒ ݂ܙܬܐ ݂ܕܝ ݂ܬܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ܶܡ ̈ܣ ݁ ܺܟܢܶܐ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ݂ܒ� ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܡܝܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܛܠ ܰܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ܒܠ ܰܝ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥ‬ ‫ܘܟ ݂ ̈ܦܢܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܫܩܠ ̱ܘ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܡܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳܫ� ܳܘ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ܰ‬ ‫ܗܢܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ ܶܒ ݂‬ ‫ܺ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܝ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܟ ݂ܦ ܺܢܝܢ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܫܩܝܠܝܢ ܣ ݂ܐܬܐ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



I did not foolishly transgress the commands of His lips, nor have I turned away from His will;

I have guarded the words of His mouth.



And He, for each of these, 1 what has He given back to me



Nevertheless, I shall fulfill His covenant,



Therefore, I fear before Him,



For God has terrified my heart,



which He has desired and accomplished?

and, like these, there are many other things with Him. 2

and I deliberate and am disturbed because of Him.

and my head is shaken.

For I have not been silent before the darkness, and before the covering of thick darkness.’

‘for each of these’: lit. ‘in one from these’. 2 ‘many other things with Him’: lit. ‘many with Him’. 1



‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܫܛ ݂ܬ ݁ ܽܦ ̈ܘܩ ݁ ܳܕ ܰܢܝ ܶܣ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܘ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܶܡܢ ܶܨ ݂ܒ ܳ�ܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܰܫ ܺܢ ݂‬ ‫ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܛܪ ݂ܬ ̈ܶܡܠ ܰܝ ݁ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܢܬ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܗܘ ݂ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܡܢ ܗܠܝܢ ܡܢܐ ݂‬ ‫ܝܒ ̱‬ ‫ܬ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫݁ܕ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ܶܐܨ ܰܛ ݂ܒ ܰܝ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ܶܐ ܰܫܠ ܶܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܝ ܶܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܢ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ ܶܕܚܠ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܒܝܢܶ ݂ܬ ܳܘܙܥ ܶ ݂ܬ ܶܡܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܐ ܺܙܝܥ ܶܠ ݁ܒ ̱ܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܫܝ ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܙܺܝܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܪ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ݁ܰ ݁ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬ ݁ܬ ܶܩ ݂ܬ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ� ܐ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ܕܥܰܡܛ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪ :‬ܘܡܢ ݂‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܬܚܦ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

IX



Chapter  And Job answered:



‘Even today my tale has become bitter,



Oh that I could reach His abode!

since His hand has grown heavy upon my groans.



So I would set a case in order before Him,



So then I would know what He would answer me,



and I would fill up my mouth with rebuke.

and I would comprehend what He would say to me.

By great power He is judging me. And if there is not fear, He sets against me. 1



There, I could properly bring my case against Him,



If He goes ahead of me, I cannot know,



I searched to my left, but He was not visible to me;



It is He who knows my direction and my circumstance; 2



My foot has been established upon His paths;

and I would be judged innocent — by that judgment, I would be set free! and if He is behind me, I cannot comprehend Him. I turned to my right, but I did not see Him.

He has tested me like gold, and I came through. I have kept His ways.

‘He sets against me’: punct. difference; LP and many MSS read ‘And if not, He sets fear upon me’. 2 ‘circumstance’: lit. ‘standing’ or ‘covenant’. See also Job 19:27. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܨܚ ܛ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܟܓ‪.‬‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܐ ݂ܦ ܝܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ܶܡ ܰܪ ݂ܬ ݀ ܽܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܝ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝܕܗ ܝ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܺܘ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ܬ ݀ ܥܰܠ ݁ܬ ̈� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ‪݁ :‬ܕ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܡ ܳܛ ܽܝܘ ܥ ݂ ܰܕ ܳܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܡ ݁ܘܬ ݂ ܶܒܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶܘ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܣܕܘܪ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܐܡ� ܰܡ ݁ܟ ܳܣ ܽܢ ݂ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܦ ̱‬ ‫ܘܝ ܶ ݂ܕܥ ܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܳ�ܢܶܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܐ ܰܡܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝܢ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ‪ܳ :‬ܣܐܡ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܝ‪ .‬ܘܐܢ � ̱ܗܘܐ ݂ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚܝ� ݂ ܳܕܐܢ ܥܰ ̱‬ ‫݁ܒܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫݁ܰ ܳ ݁ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܳܕܐܢ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܬܡܢ ܬܪܝܨ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܒ ݂ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܘܙ ݂ ܶܟܐ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ‪݁ :‬ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ܦܠܛ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܝ ܐ ܙܶܠ‪ܳ � :‬ܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܣܬܪ ̱ܝ‪ܶ � :‬ܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܢ ܒ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ܐ ݂ܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܝ ݁ܒܥܺ ݂‬ ‫ܠܣ ܳܡ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܥ ܶ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܛܦ ݂ܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪ :‬ܘ� ܚܙ ݂‬ ‫�ܝ ܺܡ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܝ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܝ ̱‬ ‫ܘܝܘ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐ ̱‬ ‫ܘܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܪ ̱ܢܝ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܗܒܐ ܘܢܶ ݂ܦ ܶܩ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܒ ̈ܝܠ ܰܘܗܝ ܶܐ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܬܪܪ ݂ܬ݀ ܪ ݂ܓ ̱‬ ‫ܘܒ ݂ ܺ ̱‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܛܪ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܘ�ܚ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

  

God shall be your help, and silver shall be your currency. And you shall raise up your face towards God.

And you shall pray before Him, and He shall hear you, and you shall fulfill your vows.



And you shall speak a word, it shall be established for you,



Because “he who humbles himself,” He said, “shall be exulted,” 1



The innocent shall be rescued wherever he is,

and light shall shine on your paths.

and those whose eyes are humble shall be redeemed.

and he shall be rescued through the pureness of his own hands.’

1

Cf. Matthew 23:12 and Luke 14:11.



‫‪ ‬ܟܗ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܘ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܙ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܠ‬

‫ܫܒ ܺܢܝܢ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܒܥ ܶ ݂ܕ ܳܪ ݂ܟ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ܟ ܶܣ ݂ܦ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܳܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܺܪܝܡ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܐ ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܝ ݁ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܘܗܝ ܘܢܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܥ ݂ܟ‪ .‬ܘܢܶ ݂ܕ ܰ� ݁ܝܟ ݁ܬ ܰܫܠܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܰܨ � ݂ ܳ ̱‬ ‫ܺ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ܰܘ ܺܢܩܝܡ ܳܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܬܐܡܪ ܡ ݂‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܟ ܰܢ ݁ ܰܓܗ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܰ�ܘ� ܳܚ ݂ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܰܡܢ ݁ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܟ‪ :‬ܐ ܰܡܪ ݁ܕܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܺܪܝܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ܶܪܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ̈ܝ ݂ ܳܟܢ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܰ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢ ݂ܬܦܠܛ ܙ ܟܝܐ ܐܝܟܐ ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܬ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܦܠܛ ݁ܒ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܽܝ ݂ܘܬܐ ݂ ܺܕܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



And you said, “How does God know?



For clouds are His covering, and they cannot see,



Can He judge in the midst of the obscuring darkness? and He treads upon the circle of the heavens.”

Have you kept the way of the world that the lawless ones 1 have treaded, yet not in their time?



They were hindered at the far bank 2 of the river,



They say to God, “Leave us!



He filled their houses with prosperity,



The righteous shall see and rejoice,



If they would not be humbled because of their hardness,

   

and they could not recall the one who established their foundations. What can God do for us?”

and the plan of the reprobate has been kept away from them. and the innocent shall deride them.

the fire will consume what is left of them. 3

So come to terms with Him, and make peace with them from your good produce. Accept the law from His mouth, and He shall set His words in your heart.

Should you turn back to God, you shall be built up. Should you remove iniquity from your tent,

you shall gather up silver as dust, and the gold of Ophir 4 as the sand of the valley. ‘lawless ones’: lit. ‘people of falsehood’. ‘far bank’ or ‘crossing’. 3 ‘what is left of them’: lit. ‘their remainder’. 4 ‘Ophir’: a fabled land of riches. See Genesis 10:29; 1 Kings 9:28; 10:11; 22:24; Psalm 45:9; Isaiah 13:12. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܓ ܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ܶܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܦ� ݂ ܽܢܕܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܓܘ ܡܢ ܥ‬ ‫݁ܕܠܡܐ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ܶܪܗ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܶܓܝܪ ܣ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓ ݂‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܚ ݂‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܛ ݁ܪܬ‪݁ :‬ܕ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܒ ܽܫ ̇‬ ‫ܘܩܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܝܗ ܐܘܪܚܐ ݂ܕܥ�ܡܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݂ܕ� ݂ܒ ܶ� ݁ ܳܕ ܽܢܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܗܪ ܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܟܠܝܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܘ ݂ܘܒ ݂ܥܒܪ ܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ ܺ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܣ ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܥ ܶ ܰܗ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܠܡܢ ܕܐܟܝܢ ܫ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܝܢ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܦ ܽܪܘܩ ܶܡ ܰܢܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܙ ܘ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܥ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ܰܠܢ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܝܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ ܛܽ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܘ ܡ� ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰ� ܳ ̈ܘ ܶ� ܶܐ ݂ܬ ܰܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܩ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܬܪܥ ݂‬ ‫ܝܛ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܙܘܢ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܝ ̈ ܶܩܐ ܘܢܶ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܕܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ܰܙ ݁ ܳܟ ܳܝܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܡ ܶܝܩ ݁ܒ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟ ܶܐܢ ܳ� ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܩ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܝ ݂ܘܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܫ ݁ܪܟ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ܬܶ ܽܐܟܘܠ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܘܫܠܡ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܥ̈ܠ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ ܛ ݂ ̈ܒ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܝ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܟܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܫܬ ܺܘ ̱‬ ‫ܟܒ ܰܩ ݁ ܶܒܠ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ ܳܢ ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܣܝܡ ܶܡ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܒ ܶ� ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪݁ :‬ܬ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒܢܶܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܟܓ ܐܢ ݁ܬ ݂ܬ ݂ܘܒ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ݁ ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܚܩ ܥܰ ܳܘ� ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟ ܳܢ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܒܐ ܰܕ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܘܦܝܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܕ ܘ ݂ܬ ݂ܟܢܫ ܟ‬ ‫ܣܦܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܳܚ� ݂ܕ ܰܢܚ� ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 

   

Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

‘Can you speak with God, O man, as if you are equal with Him in wisdom? 1 And what is the gain, so that you seek to perfect your ways by your fear? He will chastise you, and He will enter into judgment with you.



Look, your evil is great,



For you have seized your brothers’ pledge for no reason,



and your sins are limitless.

and you have stripped the naked of clothes.

You have not offered water to the faint, and you have held back food from the hungry.



There is a man who sows the earth for his own needs, 2



You have sent widows away empty handed, 3



Therefore traps surrounded you, and sudden fear made you tremble.

 

but a violent person snatches it away from him.

and you have weakened the strength 4 of the orphan.

Where is the darkness you have not foreseen? 5 A flood of waters shall cover you. Look, God has raised up the sky,

and He has beheld the uppermost of the stars that has been raised.

1 ‘Can you speak with God … as if you are equal with Him in wisdom?’ or poss. ‘Can you speak with Him … because you are equal with Him in wisdom?’ 2 ‘for his own needs’: lit. ‘for himself’. 3 ‘empty handed’ or ‘without cause’. 4 ‘strength’: lit. ‘arm’. 5 ‘foreseen’: lit. ‘seen’; punct. difference; LP and many MSS read ‘Where is the darkness? You have not seen, and a flood’.



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܟܒ‪.‬‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܶܐ ܺܠ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡ� ܳܝܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܦܙ ݁ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡܐ ܥܰܡ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܕܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܶܐ ݁‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬ ܺܘ ݁ܝܬ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ ݁ܒ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ݁ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܬܡܡ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܐܘ�ܚ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ ܡܢ ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܘܡܢܐ ܝ ݂ܘܬܪܢ ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܰܢ ݁ܟ ܳܣ ݂ܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܽܥܘܠ ݁ܒ ݂ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܬ ݂ܟ ܰܪ ݁ ܳܒܐ ̱ܗܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܗܐ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܳܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ ܽܣ ݂ܘܦ ܰܠܚܛ ̈ܗ ݁ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܢܣ ݂ܒ ݁ܬ ܶܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܟ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܕܐ ܰ ̈ܚ ݁ܝܟ‬ ‫ܣܪ ܳܝܩܐ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܛ ܳ� ܳܝܐ ܰܐܫܠ ܰ ݁‬ ‫ܚܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܒܘܫܐ ݂ܕܥ‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܺ ݁ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܛ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܦܐ‪ܶ .‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܦ ܳܢܐ ݂ܟܠ ܰ ݁‬ ‫ܚܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫� ܡܝܐ ܐܫܩܝܬ ܠ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܳܙ ܰܪܥ ܶܠܗ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܳܢ ܶܣ ݂ܒ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܶܡܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܪܡܠܬܐ ܫܕܪܬ‬ ‫ܣܪ ܳܝܩܐ ݂‬ ‫ܰܘ݂ܕ ܳܪܥ ܶܗ ݁ܕܝܰ ݂ܬ ܳܡܐ ܰܡ ݁ ܶܟ ݂ܟ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ݁ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ݁ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܥܬ ݂ܟ ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ܗܢܐ ܚ ݂ܕܪ ݂ܘܟ ܦܚܐ‪ .‬ܘܐܙ ݂‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܫ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܰܟܐ ̱ܗܘ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙ ݁ܝܬ‪ܶ .‬‬ ‫ܘܫ ݂ܦ ܳܥܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ ݂ ܰܢܟ ܶܣ ݂ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܐ ܺܪܝܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܺܪܝܫ ݁ ܰܟ ̈ܘ ݁ܟ ݂ ܶܒܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݁ܐܬ ݁ܬ ܺܪܝܡ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

this other one would later die in bitterness of soul, without having eaten a good thing.

Together, they recline in the earth, and maggots shall cover them both.



Surely, I know your considerations,



because you say, “Where is the house of the righteous person?



and the plan you are considering against me,

Which is the camp where the wicked dwell?” 1

For have you not asked those who pass by the road? And do you not recognize their signs?



Because the wicked is being preserved for the day of destruction,



Who is going to point out to him the way?



For he is heading to the tomb, and is being preserved for his fate. 2



and he will be remembered in the day of wrath.

And who is going to pay him back for what he has done?

The caves of the valley are swallowing him up, and everyone shall be drawn after him, and countless are before him.



How can you all console me?

Emptiness and the response of his 3 answers accrue before me.’

‘where the wicked dwell’: lit. ‘of the dwelling of the wicked’. ‘his fate’: lit. ‘fate’. 3 ‘his’: referent unclear. See Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 41); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 198). 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܟܗ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܽܢܡܘܬ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܦܫ ܰܡ ܺܪ ܳܝܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ݂ܟܠ ܒܛ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽܶ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܟܣܐ ܐܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܘ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ܕ ܐ ܥ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܳܫ ݂ܟ ݁ ܺܒܝܢ‪ .‬ܘܪ ݂‬ ‫ܟܙ ܳܗܐ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰܡܚ ̈ܫ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘ ܶܡ� ݁ ܳܟܐ ݂ ܰܕܥܠ ܰܝ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܒܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܶ ܰ ݁ܽ ݁ܰ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ ݁ܕ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܳܝܩܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܟܚ ܡܛܠ ܕܐܡܪܬܘܢ ܕܐܝܟܘ ܒ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝܢܘ ܰܡܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ̈ ܽ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܥܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܬܘܢ �ܥ ݂ܒ�ܝ ܐܘܪܚܐ‪ .‬ܘܐ ݂ܬܘ ݂ܬܗܘܢ � ܐܫܬܘܕ‬ ‫ܟܛ � ݂ܶܓܝܪ ܫܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܛܪ ݁ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠ ܡܛܠ ܕ�ܝܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ܡ ݂ܬ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܳܙ ܐ ܶܡ ݁ܬ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܰܟܪ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܝܘܡܐ ݂ܕܪ ݂‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܐ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫� ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܘ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܳܦ ܰܪܥ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ܶ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܠܓ ݂ܕ ܳܫܐ ܶܡ ݂ܬܢܛܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܒ ܗܘ ݂ܕܝܢ ܐ ܙܠ ܠܩ ݂ܒܪ ܐ‪ :‬ܘ ݂ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܓ ݁ ܳܒ�ܥܺܝܢ ܶܠܗ ݁ܓ ݂ ܺܦ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܦܝ ܰܢܚ�‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܳ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫� ܳܢܫ ܶܡ ݂ܬܢ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܕ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܒ ݂ܬܪܗ ݁ܟ ̱‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܶܡ ܳܢܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬

‫‪ ‬ܠܕ‬

‫ܰܘ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟܐ ݂ܬ ܰܠ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ݁ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪ ̱ܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗ ݂ܒ� ܘ ݂ܬܝ ݂ܒܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܓܡܘ ̱ܗܝ ܝ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Finishing out their days in prosperity, 1 they quickly descend to Sheol.



They say to God, “Go away from us!



They say, “Who is God, so we should serve Him?”



Surely, their prosperity is not in their hands,



We have no desire to know Your ways!”

or, “What can we gain should we plead with Him?” and the plan of the wicked ones is far away from me.

How often shall the lamp of the wicked be quenched and misfortune come upon them? Yet His anger shall divide up the devastation.



They shall be as straw before the wind,



God has kept track of his guilt 2 for his descendants,



his eyes shall see his own destruction,



For what is his concern for his household when he dies, 3

  

and as chaff that the storm lifts away.

and He shall repay him, and he shall understand:

and he shall drink from the wrath of God.

or for the number of his months that will be preserved for his children?

Are you 4 teaching God knowledge? Yet, it is He who will judge the proud. For if this one dies now in his perfect strength — for he is trusting and at peace, and his sides are engorged with fat, and his bones are engorged with marrow —

‘prosperity’: lit. ‘good things’. ‘guilt’: lit. ‘iniquity’ or ‘crime’. 3 ‘when he dies’: lit. ‘after him’. 4 ‘you’ in this and the following verses in this chapter is plural. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܳ ݁ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥܓܠ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܬܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܢ‬ ‫ܡܓܡܪܝܢ ݁ܒܛ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܐ ܰܝܘܡܝܗܘܢ‪݂ .‬ܘܒ ܰ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܝܢ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܶܡ ܰܢܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰܕܥ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ � ܳܨ ݂ ܶܒܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳܘܐܡܪܝܢ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܕܢܶ ݂ܦ� ܺܚܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ܺܪܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢ ݁ܕܢܶ ݂ܒܥ ܶܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ � ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ ܛܽ ݂ܘܒ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܫ ݂ܒ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ܕ ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ ܶܐ ݂ܬ ܰܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܩ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫݁ܟ ܳܡܐ ܢܶ ݂ܕܥܰ ݂ܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܪܓ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ܕ ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ‪ܺ :‬ܘܢ ݂ܐܬܶܐ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܶܙܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܚܒ� ݂ܢܦܠ ݂ܓ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܘܢ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܬܶ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܽ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܥܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕܫܩ� ܠܗ ܟ ݂ܘܟ ݂‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܢܶ ܰܛܪ ܥܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܠܗ ܰܠ ݂ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬

‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܘ ܶ� ݁ ܰܕܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܦܪܥܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ ݂ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟ ܘܢܶܚ ̈ܙ ܝܳܢ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܬܗ ܕܐܠܗܐ ܢ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܚ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪ܶ :‬ܡܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܐ ܡܢܘ ܨ ݂ܒ�ܢܗ ܒ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܰܝ� ܰܚܘܗܝ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܛܪܘܢ ܰܠ ݂ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫݁ܽ ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܒ ܰ� ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܡ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ‪ :‬ܘ ܽܗܘ � ܳ� ܶܡܐ ݂ ܽܢܕܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܦܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ܬܘܢ ܝ ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫݁ܶ ܳ ܳ ܽ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫�ܡ ݂ܘܬܗ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܕ ݂ܬ ݂ ܺܟܝܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܘܫ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܓ ܕܐܢ ܗܢܐ ܢܡ ݂ܘܬ ܒܥܘܫܢܐ ݂ܕܫ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܰ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܡܠ ܶܝܢ ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓ� ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܘܓ ݁ܒܘ ̱ܗܝ ܡܠܝܢ ܬ ݁ܪܒܐ‪݂ܰ :‬‬ ‫݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

VIII



Chapter  And Job answered:



‘Listen closely to my words,



Bear with me and I will speak,



I will tell my words to someone.



and you all will gain understanding. 1

and after my replies, then mock! Why then is my spirit troubled?

Turn back towards me and be amazed; place your hands over your mouth!



For if I think about it, I shake with fright,



Why do the wicked live on, growing old, mighty ones of power?



and dizziness 2 grabs my body.

Their offspring 3 are established in front of them, and their children before their eye.



Their homes lack fear,



His bull passes by and does not cry out; 4



Their children are firm like flocks, and their young skip about.



and the rod of God is not on them.

his cow gives birth and does not miscarry.

They took up drums and stringed instruments and rejoiced at the sound of music. ‘you all will gain understanding’: lit. ‘there will be in you understanding’. ‘You’ in verse 2 and ‘your’ in verse 5 are plural. 2 ‘dizziness’: lit. ‘dizzinessess’ (pl.). 3 ‘offspring’: lit. ‘seed’. 4 ‘cry out’ or ‘bellow’. This Syr. verb has been previously used of animals, such as the ass (Job 6:5) but can also be used of Job’s laments (Job 30:20) and those of other people (Job 24:12; 34:28). 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܨܚ ܚ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ̈ܡܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫ ܰܡܥ ̱ܘ ܡ‬

‫ܟܐ‪.‬‬

‫ܘܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ݁ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܡܠܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ܘ‬ ‫ܰܣ ݁ܝܒ ܽܪ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒ ݂ܬܪ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ̈ܡܝ ܰܡ ܶܝܩ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺܐ ܰܡܪ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ ̈ܡܠ ܰܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܶܡ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܥܺ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܩܐ ܪ ̱‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܦ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܣܝܡ ̱ܘ ܺܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ܰܢܘ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܰܡܗ ̱ܘ‪ܺ .‬‬ ‫ܘܡܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫݁ ܶܕܐܢ ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܶܪ ݂ܬ‪ :‬ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܙܺܝܥ ܶ ݂ܬ‪:‬‬ ‫ܐܚ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܒܣܪ ̱ܝ ܰܨܘ ܳ� ܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݁‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ ܰܚ ܺܝܝܢ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܥܬ ܺܩܝܢ ݁ ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܰ�ܝ ܰܚܝ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܙܪܥ ܽܗܘܢ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ܰܩܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ܒ ܰ� ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ �ܥܺܝ ܰܢܝ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ݁ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܳܒ ݁ܬܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ ܫܠܝܢ ܡܢ ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܶܛܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݁‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪܗ ܳܥ ݂ ܰܒܪ ܘ� ݂ܳܓܥ ܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܽ ݁ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܚ ݁ܒ�‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܦܠܛܐ ݂ܬܘܪܬܗ‪ :‬ܘ�‬ ‫ܡܫ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܪܝܢ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܳ� ܳܢ̈ܐ ݂ܒ ܰ� ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ‪ :‬ܘܝܰ ܽ� ̈ܘ݂ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܳ‬ ‫ܫܩܠ ̱ܘ ݁ܦܠ ܰ ݁ ̈ܶܓܐ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܳ� ܶ� ܐ‪ܳ .‬‬ ‫ܠܩ� ݂ ܰܕ ܳܙܡ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ݂ ܶܕܝܢ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



His belly shall become the place of annihilation,

and God 1 will stoke the heat of His wrath in him,

and, in His belligerence, He will make it rain down upon him.

 

He who fled from the iron breastplate, the brass bow will pass right through him. It will be drawn out, and it will disgorge his innards, and the skin of his gall will be pierced open — force is incessantly upon him.



Total darkness is hidden away for his generations; an unfanned 2 fire will consume him,

and the remnant in his tent will wither.



The sky will expose his sins,



The foundations of his house will be uncovered,



and the earth will take vengeance upon him.

and he 3 will be beaten on the day of wrath.

This is the lot of the wicked person before God, and the legacy of his words from on high!’

‘God’: lit. ‘he’ or ‘it’ (masc.); referent unclear. ‘unfanned’: lit. ‘which is not blown’. See explanation in Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 198). 3 ‘he’ or ‘it’ (masc.). 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ � ݂ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܒܛܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܓ ܘܢ‬ ‫ܢܓ ܶܪ ܐ ܶܒܗ ܶܚ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܶܙܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ݂ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ݂ܕܪ ݂‬ ‫݁ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܒ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ܒ ݂ܬ ܽܢ ݂ܘܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܢܡܛܪ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫݁ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܙ�‪݁ .‬ܬܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳܢܚ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܩ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܕܥܪܩ ܡܢ ܫܪ�ܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܟܗ ݁ܬܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܡܘܛ ݂ܘܬ ݁ ܶܦܩ ݁ ܰܓ ܳܘܝ ܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܪ ݁ܪܬܗ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܙܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܫܟܐ ݂ܕ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܰܘܗܝ ܰܐ ܺܡܝܢ ݁ܬ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ̈ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܘ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܟܠ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܺ‬ ‫�ܕ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܬܘ ݂‬ ‫ܛܡܝܪ ݂‬ ‫݁ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܕ ܳ� ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܢܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܽܢ ݂‬ ‫ܬ ݂ܐܟܠܝ ̱‬ ‫ܐܒ ݂ܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܺܘܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܪ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܒ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܙ ܢܶܓܠܽܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܚܛ ܰܗ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܐܪܥܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܬ ܰ� ܰܩܡ ܶܡܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܶ ̈ܶ ܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܚ ܢ ݂ܬܓ�ܝܢ ܫ ݂ܬܐܣܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܳܙ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢ ݂ܬܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܰܝܘܡܐ ݂ܕܪ ݂‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܐ ܳܠـ ܳܗܐ‪ .‬ܘܝܳـ ݁ܪܬ ݂ܘܬܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ܰ�ـ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܶܡـܢ‬ ‫ܟܛ ܳܗ݂ ܳܕ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܡܢ ݂ܬܗ ܕ ݂ܒܪܢܫܐ ܪܫܝܥܐ ܡܢ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Although his evil is sweet in his mouth,



he spares it and does not let it go,



His food turns over in his belly,



So he shall vomit up from his belly the food which he had swallowed,



He shall suck at the poison of the adder,



and he hides deceit under his tongue, and he suppresses it inside his mouth. 1

and the poison of a serpent is in him. and God shall destroy him.

and the tongue of the snake shall kill him.

He shall not perceive the division of rivers and streams of honey and butter.



He shall be returned back to labor, and he shall not swallow; 2



For he who wanted to abandon the poor,



Because he was not aware of the judgment inside his belly,



None from his generations are spared;



In the measure with which he measured 5 he shall be revenged,

by this powerful change 3 he shall not benefit. 4

the house of plunder shall not be built. he shall not be rescued by his desires.

therefore, his prosperity shall not remain.

and every hand of a perverse people shall come upon him.

‘his mouth’: some MSS read ‘his darkness’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. ‘swallow’: punct. difference; LP and many MSS have the punctuation break after ‘change’: ‘he will not swallow in the strength of his change’. 3 ‘powerful change’: lit. ‘by the strength of his change’. 4 ‘he shall not benefit’: punct. difference; LP and many MSS read this phrase with the beginning of the next verse. 5 Compare with wording of Matthew 7:2 and Mark 4:24. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܒ‬

‫ܶ ݁ܶ ܰ ݁ ܽ ܶ ݁ܺ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ܬ ݂ܒܣܡ ܒ ݂ܦܘܡܗ ܒ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܟ ܳ� ܬ ܶܚ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܝܬ ܠ ܳܫܢܶܗ ܢܛ ܶܫܝ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽܢܚܘܣ ܥܠ ܰܘܗܝ‪ :‬ܘ� ܢܶ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܒܩܝ ̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܒ ܰ ݂ܓܘ ܶܚܢ ݁ ܶܟܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܟܠܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰܠ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܡܗ ݁ ܰܒܡ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܗ ݁ ܰܦ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܪܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ܺ� ܳܝܢܐ ݂ܒ ܰ ݂ܓ ܶܘܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ݂ܺ‬ ‫ܝܗ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܰܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܒ ̇‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܪܣܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܠܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܠܥ ܢ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܢ ݁ܘܒ ݂ ܺܕܝ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡ ݂ܪܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܦ ݁ܬ ܳܢܐ ܺܢ ܰܐܢܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܠ ܳܫ ܳܢܐ ܶܕ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݂‬ ‫ܐܣܦܣ ܢܶܩܛܠܝ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ� ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܠ ܳ ݂ܓܐ ݂ܕ ܰܢܗ ܰ� ܳܘ ݂ܬܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ݂ܕ� ݂ܓܠ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܒ ܳܫܐ ܰܘ݂ܕ ܶܚܐܘ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܶ ݂ܬܗ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܟ �� ݂ܘܬܐ ܘ� ܢܶ ݂ܒܠ ܰܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܶ ܳ‬ ‫�ܦܗ � ܢܶ ݂ܬܗܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ܺܚܝܠ ܚ‬ ‫ܠܡ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܒܩ ܶ‬ ‫݁ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬ ܰܪܥܺܝ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܟ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ ܰܕܚܛ ݂ܘܦ ܳܝܐ � ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܒܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܺܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ݁ ܺܕܝܢܶܗ ݁ܒ ݂ ܰܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܣܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܓ ݂ܬܗ � ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܦܠ ܰܛ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܒ� ݂ܓ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ̈ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫�ܕ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܝܬ ܕ ݂ܦܠܛ ܡܢ ܬܘ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ � ݂ܬ ݂ ܰܟ ݁ܬܪ ܛ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܰ ܳ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܺܐܟܝܠ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ܰܪܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒ ݂ܟܝ‬ ‫ܳ̈ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܟ� ̇ܗ ܐ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰ�ܘ� ݂ܬ ݂ܐܬܐ ܥܠ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



Zophar the Namathite replied:



‘Answer me, for the benefit of my own steps,



I will listen to a rebuke of my own reprimand,



and, for my own sake, remain with me!

and the spirit of my understanding will answer me.

This I have understood from antiquity, since Adam was created upon the earth, since 1 He made humankind upon the earth.



For the praise given by 2 wicked people is inward-looking, 3



Although his stature rises up to heaven,



he shall perish forever, as a storm.



Yet, as if in a dream, he shall fly away and shall not be found,



The eye which beheld him shall no longer see him,



His children shall be broken in poverty,



His bones are full of marrow,

and the joy of the godless person lasts but a short time. and his head reaches to the clouds,

Those watching him shall say, “Where is he?” and he shall flee like a vision of the night.

and they shall no longer even consider his place. and his 4 hands shall reach out towards his offspring. and they shall lie down with him upon the earth.

‘since’. LP and many MSS read as interrogative: ‘Who made man’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 2 ‘praise given by’: lit. ‘their praise of’. 3 ‘inward-looking’: lit. ‘from their interior’. 4 ‘his’: referent unclear, poss. ‘the godless person’ (v. 5) or the ‘hand’ of the enemy. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܟ‪.‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬ ܳ�ܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܢܐ ܨ ݂ܘܦܪ ܢܥ ݂‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܰܗ ݂ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܠܟ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܬ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܒ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܛܠ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬܪ ̱ܘ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ܳܣ ܽܢ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܪܕ ݂‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ݂ܕ ܽܣ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܘܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܟܠ ̱ܝ ܢܶܥܢܶ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ݁ ܺ ܳܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܗ݂ܕ ܐ ܝ ݂ܕܥ ݂ܬ ܡܢ ܥ�ܡܐ‪ :‬ܡܢ ܕ ݂ܐܬܒܪܝ ܐ݂ܕܡ ܥ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ �̱ܢܫܐ ܥ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܘܚܬ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ܕ ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܰܓ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ݂ܬܶ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܒ ݁‬ ‫ܘܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܗܝ ܰܠ ݂ ܰܙܒܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܙܥܘܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ݂ ܽܕ ݂ܘܬܗ ݁ܕ ܰܚ ݁ܢܦܐ ݂ ܰ ̱‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܢܶ ܰܣܩ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܫܗ ܰ�ܥ ̈ ܳ�ܢܶܐ ܢܶܡܛܐ‪.‬‬ ‫�� ܳ� ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܥܰ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥܠ ܰܡ ܺܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܒ ݂ܕ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܚ ̈ܙ ܝܰܘܗܝ ܺܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܘܢ‪ܰ :‬ܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ̱ܗܘ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܢܶ ݂ܦ ܰܪܚ‪ :‬ܘ� ܢܶ ݁‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬ ݂ ܰܟܚ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܦ ܰܪ݂ܕ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܶܚ ܳܙܘܐ ݂ܕ ܺܠ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙ ݂ܬܶܗ‪ܽ ݁ :‬ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܳ� ݂ ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܰ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡܚܙܝ ܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ ܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܘܢ ܐ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ݂ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܢܚ‬ ‫݁ ܰ ̈ ܶ݁ ݁ܰ ܽ ݁ ܶ ݁ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܟ ܽܢ ݂ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒ�ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܢܬܬ ݂ܒܪܘܢ ܒܡ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ ܳ‬ ‫�ܢ ݁ܒ ܰܝ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫�ܕܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܢܘܫ‬ ‫ܺܘܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ̱‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܡܠ ܶܝܢ ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܰܓ� ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܰܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܢܶ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟ ݂ ܽܒܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܡܗ ܥ‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Oh that my words were written down,



with an iron pen

and that they were inscribed in a record and a lead stylus forever —

that they would be engraved in rock!



Yet, as for me, I know that my savior lives,



These things 1 encompass my skin and my flesh.

and He shall make himself known upon the earth in the end.



If my eye sees God, my innermost parts 2 shall behold the light!



For you say, “Why are we persecuting him?”



Save yourselves from before the sword —

I have indeed passed away from my position. 3

After me, then, one shall yet find a good report!

because the anger of sinners is the sword,

because you shall know that there is a judgment.’

‘These things’: poss. meaning the various aforementioned difficulties. ‘my innermost parts’: lit. ‘my kidneys’. 3 ‘position’: lit. ‘standing’. See also Job 23:10. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܓ ܰܡܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ̈ܟ ݂ܬ ݁ ܳܒܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ ̈ܡܠ ܰܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ ݁ܒ ܶܣ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܬ�‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܘ ݂ܒܩܢܝܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦܪܙ�‪:‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܨ ܳܝܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܳܐܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥܠ ܰܡ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܺܟ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܦܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܝ ܰܚܝ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܗ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦ ܽܪ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܓ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܒܣܘܦܐ ܥ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܟܘ ܘܥܰܠ ܶܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟ ̱ܝ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܟ ܶܪ ݂ܟ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܶܒܣܪ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܰ� ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܥܰܝܢܝ‪ :‬ܚ ܰ ̈ܙܝ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܙ ܶܐܢ ݁ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ݂ ܽܟ ̈ܘ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܣ ݂ܦ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ݂ܶܓܝܪ ܳܣ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ܶܡܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܝ ̱‬ ‫݁ܳ ܺ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܪ݂ܕ ݁ ܺܦܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܚ ܕ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬܪ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܛ ݂ ܳܒܐ ݂ܶܓܝܪ ܡ ݂‬ ‫ܟܛ ݁ܦ ܽܪܘܩ ̱ܘ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܟܘܢ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ݂ ܰܕܚ ܳܛ ̈ܶܗܐ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܐܝܬ ݁ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ݂ܬ݁ܕ ܽܥܘܢ ݁ ܺܕ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



His messengers came together against me, and they trod their paths against me, and they camped around my tent.



My kin 1 are far from me,



My relatives 2 are cut off from me,



My guests 3 and my maid servants have also considered me a stranger,



I called for my servant, and he did not answer me;



I have been a stranger to my wife,



Even perverse people rejected me;



All the counselors advising me 4 rejected me,



My skin and my flesh have clung to my bones,



Have mercy upon me, have mercy upon me, you my friends



Why should you, like God, also persecute me?

and my close friends have gone away.

and my close friends have forgotten me.

and I have become a stranger in their eyes.

I begged him with the words of my mouth, and I pleaded with him. and I pleaded with the child of my loins. when I stand up, they speak against me.

and even my friends have turned against me. and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.

because it is the hand of God that has come near me! Would you not be satisfied with my flesh?

‘kin’: lit. ‘brothers’. ‘relatives’ or poss. ‘neighbors’. 3 ‘My guests’: lit. ‘Residents of my house’. 4 ‘the counselors advising me’: lit. ‘advisors of my council’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܒ‬

‫ܶܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܐܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ ܐ ݂ܬܘ ܥܠܝ ܫ� ̈ܝ ܰܚ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ݂ܕ ܰܪܫ ̱ܘ ܥܠ ܰܝ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܰ�ܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܪܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܟ ̱‬ ‫ܰܐ ܰ ̈ܚܝ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܚܩ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܝ ݂ ̈ܕܥܰܝ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܒܝ ܶܡܢ ܳ‬ ‫݁ܦ ܰܣܩ ̱ܘ ܰܩ ܺ� ݂ ܰ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܝ ݂ ̈ܕܥܰܝ ܶܐ ݂ܬ ܰ� ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܝ ̱‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܝ ܰܘܐ ̈ܡ ܳܗ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪ܰ :‬ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܽܢ ݂ܘܟ ܳܪ ܳ�ܐ ܰܚ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫݁ ܰܬ ̈ܘ ݁ ܳܬ ݂ ܰܒܝ ݁ ܰܒ ݁‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܒ ̱‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽܘܢ ݂ܘܟ ܳܪܝ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫�ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ܕ ̱ܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂‬ ‫ܥܢ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܚܢܢܶ ݂ܬ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܦ ݂ܬ ܶܠܗ ݁ܒ ̈ܡܠܝ ݁ܦ ̱‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܽ ܳܳ ܺ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ �ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢ ݂ܘܟܪ�ܐ ̱ܗܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܚܢܢܶ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܒܪ ܡܥ ̈ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܰ� ̈ܘ� ܐ‬ ‫ܣ�ܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܠܠ ̱ܘ ݁ ܺܒܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܩ ܶܡ ݂ܬ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܳܡ ̈� ݁ ܰܟܝ ܶܡ ̈� ݁ ܰܟܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܣ�ܝ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܡܝ ܐ ݂ܬܗ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܦ �‬ ‫ܫܟ ̱ܝ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ݁‬ ‫ܘܒܣܪ ̱ܝ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒܩ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰ ݂ܓ� ܰܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܛ ݂ܬ ݁ܒ ܶܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܬܦ‬ ‫ܫܟܐ ݂ܕ ܶܫܢ̈ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ܽܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܽܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪ܰ :‬ܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢ ̱‬ ‫ܘܢ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܐܝܕܗ ܽܗܘ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܶܩ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܒ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܬ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ ܺܕ ݂ ܶ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ݁ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܐ ݂ܦ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܡܢܐ ݂ܬܪܕ ݂ܦܘܢ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ ܶܒܣܪ ̱ܝ � ݂ܬ ݁‬ ‫ܣܒ ܽܥܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

VII

   

Chapter  And Job answered:

‘How long will you all 1 keep wearing me down, 2 causing me pain with words? 3

For surely, you correct me ten times, and you are not ashamed to cause me grief. Yet if I have truly erred, it is my error.



If you have rightfully exulted yourselves against me



then understand that it is God who has condemned me,



If I wail, no one answers me,



He has blocked my routes so that I cannot pass by,



He has stripped my honor from me,



He has uprooted me from every side, and I have gone away,



His anger has strengthened against me,

and have chided me and reviled me,

and it is He who has cast His net over me.

and if I bemoan, there is none to take vengeance for me.

and He has set darkness upon my paths.

and He has removed the crown from my head.

and He has carried away my hope as if it were a piece of wood. and He has considered me as an enemy.

‘you all’: the word ‘you’ in this and the following verses in this chapter is plural. ‘wearing me down’: lit. ‘enfeebling my soul’. 3 Compare with Bildad’s complaint in Job 18:2. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܨܚ ܙ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܝܛ‪.‬‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ ܶܟ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܶ� ܰܡ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ܶܘܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ � ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ‪ܰ .‬‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܐܒܝܢ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ݁ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܥܣܪ ܰܙ ݂ ̈ܒ ܺܢܝܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܟ ܺ‬ ‫݁ܕ ܳܗܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܬܝܢ‬ ‫ܘܢܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܺܠܝ‪ .‬ܘ� ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ݁ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܳܛ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܝ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܛܥܺ ݂‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪ ݂ܒ ݁ܬܘܢ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܐܢ ܡܢ ܩܘܫܬܐ ܐ ݂ܬܪ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܣ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ ܳܘܢ ̱‬ ‫ܰܘ ݁ ܶܐܟܣ ݁ܬ ܳܘܢ ̱‬ ‫݁ ܰܕܥܘ ܳܗ ݂ ܺܟܝܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܚ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܒ ̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܨ ݁ܝܕ ݁ܬܗ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ݂ܦ ܰܪܣ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫� ܳܢܐ‪ :‬ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ � ܳ�ܢܶܐ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܰܡܝܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܶ݁ ܰ ݁ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܕ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰܒܥ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܢ ܐܒܓܢ‪ :‬ܠ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܳܣܓ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣܡ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܥܰܠ ܫ ݂ ܺܒ ̈ܝܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ܳܝܩܪ ̱ܝ ܐܫܠܚ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܺܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܫܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܥܒܪ ݁ܟܠܝ� ݂ܕܪ ̱‬ ‫ܥܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܪ ̱ܢܝ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܶܤܛ ܰ�ܝ ܶܘܐ ܙܶ ̱ܠ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ݂ܝܟ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ ܰܣ ݂ܒܪ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܫܩ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܶܙܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܬܩ ݂ܦ ܥܠܝ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘ ܰܚ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܶܠܗ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܒܥܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܒ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܺܠܝ ݂ܒ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܐܢ̱ـ ݁ܬܘܢ ݁ܕ ܰܡ ݂ܟ ܶܪܝـܢ ܐܢ̱ـ ݁ܬܘܢ‬

Ch. 



Nevertheless, the dwellings of the reprobate are such as these,

and this is the place of the one who does not know God.’



‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܰ� ܳܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ܳܗܠܝܢ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܡ ̈ܫ ݁ܟ ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܰܢܘ ܐ ݂ܬ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡܢ ݁ܕ� ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



A noose has been hidden for him 1 in the earth,



Ranks 4 of terror encircle him, and they spread them out 5 at his feet.

 

and a net rigged 2 for him 3 upon the paths.

Famine will be his pain,

and misfortune is prepared for his descendants.

His cities will be consumed by strength; and his first-born, by the strength of the dead.



His confidence will be uprooted from his tent,



They will dwell in his tent because there is no one there; 6



His roots will dry up from below,



His remembrance will disappear from the earth,



They will cast him out from light to darkness,



He has no name nor remembrance in the nation,



Those that follow after him will be appalled 8 at his days;

and they will drive him away by the terrors of the king. brimstone will be scattered upon his place.

and his harvest 7 falls off from above.

so his name does not exist in the Creation.

and they will banish him from the inhabited earth. neither will he have a remnant in his abode.

as for those beforehand, their hair stood up! 9

‘noose … for him’: lit. ‘his noose’. ‘rigged’ or ‘tautened’: lit. ‘be wrapped up’. 3 ‘net … for him’: lit. ‘his net’. 4 ‘Ranks’ or poss. ‘Battle lines’. 5 ‘spread them out’ or ‘scatter’. See Job 18:15. 6 ‘is no one there’: lit. ‘there is not a person’. 7 ‘harvest’: can be specifically ‘grape harvest’ or ‘vintage’ (1 Kings 14:10). 8 ‘be appalled’ or ‘be in wonder’. 9 ‘stood up’: lit. ‘raised’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܛܡܝܪ ܽܗܘ ݂ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ ܰܚ ݂ܒܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ̱‬ ‫ܺ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܫܒ ̈�� ݂ܬ ݂ܬ ݁ܟ ܶܪ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܨ ݁ܝܕ ݁ܬܗ ܥܰܠ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶܣ ݂ܕ ܰ�ܝ ݁ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܗ ܳ�ܐ‪ܰ ݂ .‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܒ ݁ ܰܕܪ ̱ܘ ܐܢ ܶܝܢ �� ݂ܓܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰܚ ݂ܕܪ ̱‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܦ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܺܟ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܒܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ̈ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫�ܕ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܬܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܬ ݂ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ܰܩܢ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ ̈ܟܠ ܳܢ ݁ܒ ܽܬ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܦܐ ܽܩܘ�ܝ ܶܗ‪ܰ ݂ :‬‬ ‫ܘܒ ݂ܬ ܽܩܘ ݂ܦ ܺܡ ̈ܝ ݂ܬܐ ݂ ܽܒ ݂ܘܟ ܶܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ܶܣܩ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟܢܶܗ ݁ܬ ݂ܘܟ ܳ�ܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܗ ܰܝܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܣ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܗܒܘܢܶܗ ݁ ܽܒ ̈ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܟܢܶܗ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܫܪܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ ݂ܬܒܕܪ ܥ� ݂ܬܪܗ ܟ ݂ܒܪ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܬ ݁ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܺܢ ݂ܐܒ ܽܫܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ݂‬ ‫ܚܬ ܥ ܳܩ� ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ �ܥ ܶܠ ܳܢ ݂ܬܪ ܩܛ ݂ ܶܦܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܒ ݂ܕ ݁ ܽܕ ݂ܘܟ ܳܪ ܢܶܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܺܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ̈ ݁ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܠܝܬ ܠܗ ܫܡ ܥ� ܦܝ ܒܪ ݂‬ ‫ܣܚܦܘܢܶܗ ܶܡܢ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܶ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ ܺܬ ݂ ܶܒܝܠ ܢܶ ݂ܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܚܩܘܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫� ܶܫܡ ܶܠܗ ܘ� ݂ ܽܕ ݂ܘܟ ܳܪܢ ݁ܒܥܰ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܪ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܒ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܡܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܗܘܢ ܐ̱ܚ ܳ��ܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܰܠ ܰܝܘ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܘܩ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳܡ ܶܝܐ ܙܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܩܦ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܣܥ ݁ܪܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

  

Bildad the Shuhite replied:

Chapter 

‘How long will you 1 set up an obstacle to words? Consider, and let us finally speak.

Why have we been thought of as beasts 2 and become unclean in your eyes? Job 3 kills himself 4 by his own anger! 5



May the earth be abandoned for your sake,



Even so, the lamp of the wicked will be quenched,



The light will darken in his tent,



His footsteps will be enfeebled by his pains, 7



For he has extended his foot into the net,



A trap has grasped him by his heel, 9

and may the mountain depart from its place!

and the flame of his fire will also shine forth. and his lamp will be snuffed out for him. 6

and his plan will destroy him.

and he has walked upon the mat made of rushes. 8 and thirst 10 shall overcome him.

‘you’: ‘you’ is plural only in this verse. 2 ‘beasts’: lit. ‘beast’ (sing.). 3 ‘Job’: lit. ‘he’. 4 ‘himself’: lit. ‘his soul’. 5 Job 6:2. 6 ‘for him’ or ‘above him’. 7 ‘pains’ or ‘wounds’. See also Job 31:18 and 33:19. 8 ‘mat made of rushes’: lit. ‘rush mat’. 9 ‘grasped him by his heel’: lit. ‘grasps by his heel’. 10 ‘thirst’: lit. ‘thirsts’ (pl.). 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫ܝܚ‪.‬‬

‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܝܐ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ݂ܕ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܶ� ܰܡ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܳܣ ܺ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܰܣ ܽܩ ݂ܘܒ� ܠ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܡܠܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܬܒܝܢ ̱ܘ‪ :‬ܘܐ̱ܚܪܝ ݂ܬ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܫ ݂ܒܢ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܒܥܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ݂ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ‪ܶ .‬ܘ ݁ܐܬܛ ܰܡܐܢ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ݁ܝܟ‪:‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܶܙܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܛܠ ܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ݁ܒܪ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬ ݂ ܶܒܩ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ݂ܟ ݁ܬܶ ݁‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܐ ܡܛܠ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰܢܫܢܶܐ ܛܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܕ ݁ܘܟ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܪ ݂ܳܓܐ ݂ܕ ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ ܢܶ ݂ܕܥܰ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ݁ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܕ ܽܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܦ ܬܓܗ ܫ‬ ‫�ܗ ݂ ܺܒ ݂ ݂‬ ‫ܽܢܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܪ ܐ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܫ ݂ܟ ݁ܒ ܰܡܫ ݁ܟܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܫܪ ݂ܶܓܗ ܢܶ ݂ܕܥܰ ݂ܟ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ̈ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܟ ݂ܬܗ ݁ܒ ݂ ܺܟܐ ݂ ܰܒ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܨ ܕ ܝܢ ܗ ݂‬ ‫݁ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫݁ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܬܪܥ ݂‬ ‫ܰܘܬܛ ݁ܒܥܝ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܘܫܛ ܶܪ ݂ܓܠܗ ݁ ܰܒܡ ܺܨ ݁ܝܕ ݁ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܓ ݁ܬܐ ܰܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܣܪ ݂‬ ‫ܐܚ ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܦ ܳܚܐ ݂ܒܥ ܶ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܒܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܶ ݂ܬܥܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܨ ̈ܗ ܳܘܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܢܘܢ ܥܠ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Transgressors 1 of days, abrogators of thoughts!



You are establishing night as day,



If I await Sheol, it is my home,



I have called out to corruption, “You are my father!”



Where, therefore, is my hope and my confidence?



Destroyers of the hearts of the nations!

and you are bringing light before darkness. and I have prepared my bed in the darkness.

and to the worm, “My mother and my sister!”

And who shall find my hope?

Yet vigorous, you all shall go down to Sheol, and they shall descend together to the dust.’

1

‘transgressors’ or ‘passers-by’.



‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܡ ݁ܥܒ ܰ�ܝ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ‪ :‬ܡ ݂ ̈ܒܛܠ ܰܝ ܰܡܚ ̈ܫ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܡ ̈ܘ ݁ܒ ݂ ܰܕܝ ܠ ݁ ܰܒ ̈ܘ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܳܣ ܺ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܺ� ܳ‬ ‫ܺܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܩ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܒܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܒ ݁‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܶܐ ܰܣ ݁ ܶܟܐ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܝ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ݂ܬܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܝ ܰܫ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܫܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܳܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐ ݂ܒ ̱ܝ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠ ݂‬ ‫ܚܒ� ܩܪ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ �ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܶܘ ̱‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܟܘ ܶܡ ݁ ܺܟܝܠ ܰܣ ݂ܒܪ ̱ܝ ݂ܘܬ ݂ܘܟܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܣ ݂ܒܪ ̱ܝ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܢܶ ݁‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܟ ܺܚܝ ̱‬ ‫݁ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫݁ܒ ܽܬ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܦܐ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܬ ݂‬ ‫ܚܬܘܢ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ܐܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ �ܥ ݂ܦܪ ܐ ܢ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘My spirit is shaken, and my days are extinguished;



Because there is no falsehood in me,



Place my pledge with You, I beg!



Because You have hidden their mind 2 from understanding;



A friend shall oppress his friend,



I established the authority of the peoples,



My eye hurt from anger,



The upright shall be astonished at this,



The righteous shall hold fast to his way,



Nevertheless, all of you: 4 you turn, and return, and come back to me,

they have prepared a grave for me.

and my spirit has spent the night in their bitterness. Who is this one who is my guarantor? 1

therefore, they shall exult themselves in discord. and their children’s eyes will fail. 3

and I became a covering over their faces. and all my thoughts are like shadows. and the innocent shall shake himself of the guilty. and he will persevere, and those with pure hands will grow stronger.

yet I cannot find a wise one among you.

‘is my guarantor’: lit. ‘deliver/greet my hand’. See Introduction. For another interpretation of this idiomatic passage, see Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 35). 2 ‘mind’: lit. ‘heart’. 3 ‘fail’: lit. ‘darken’. 4 ‘you’: the word ‘you’ in verses 10 and 12 is plural. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫ܝܙ‪.‬‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽܪܘܚܝ ܶܐ ݁ܬ ܰܛ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܦ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܬ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܘܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܕܥܰ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܛ ܶܝ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܺܠܝ ܰܩ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܳ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܪ ܽܪܗܘܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬ ݂ܬ ݀ ܪ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܺܣܝܡ ܺܢܐ ܶܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ‪:‬‬ ‫ܢܝ‬ ‫ܫܟ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܡܫܠܡ ܐ ܺ ݂ܝܕ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܽ ݁ܰ ܺ ݁ ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕܠܒܗܘܢ ܟܣܝܬ ܡܢ ܣ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ ݁ ܺ ܽ ݁ ܳ ݁ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܠܓ ݂ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ܗܢܐ ܢܬܬܪܝܡܘܢ ܒ ݂ܦ‬ ‫ܘܢܶܬ ܰܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܥܰܠ ܳܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘ� ̈�ܢܶܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰ� ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ ܢܶܚ ̈ܫ ݂ ܳܟܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺܐܩܝܡ ܽܫܘܠܛ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܥ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܬܚܦ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݀ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓ ܳܙ ܐ ܥܰܝ ̱‬ ‫݁ܟ ݁ܐܒ ݂ܬ ܡܢ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ݁ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܛ ܳ� ̈� ܳܝ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܬ�ܥܝ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܟ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܗܘܢ ݁ܬ�ܝܨܶ ܐ ܥܰܠ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ܰܙ ݁ ܳܟ ܳܝܐ ܥܰܠ ܰܚ ܳܝ ݂ ܳܒܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܢ ݁ ܰܦܨ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܚ ݂ܘܕ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܳܝܩܐ ܐ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܗ‪:‬‬ ‫̈ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪ܰ :‬ܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰܢܚ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܦ ܥܰܠ ܰܚܝ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܣܢ‪ܰ :‬ܘ݂ܕ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܳܝܢ ܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ݁ܽ ܶ ܰ ݁ܽ‬ ‫݁ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܟܬܘܢ ܘ ݂ܐܬ‬ ‫�ܟܘܢ ݁ܬ ݂ܒ ݁ܬܘܢ‪ .‬ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܒܪܡ ܗܐ ݂ܟ ݂‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܶܐ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟ ܶܚ ݂ܬ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ݁ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܺܟܝܡ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

  

My brothers and my friends, my eye pours out tears to God.

Would that a person could rebuke God, as a man with his neighbor! For the sum of one’s years are approaching, 1

and one departs along the road that will not return.’

1 ‘sum of one’s years are approaching’: lit. ‘sum of one’s years (fem. pl.), they are approaching (fem. pl.)’.



‫‪ ‬ܟ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܒ‬

‫ܚܡܝ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܰܐ ܰ ̈ܚܝ ܘ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܶܫ ݂ܦܥܰ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ ܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܘܝ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܰܢ ݁ ܶܟܣ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ ܰ� ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܚ ݂ܒ ܶܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ ݂ܬܝ ̈ܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܕ ܶܡ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ ̈ܫ ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘܪܚܐ ݂ܕ� ܳܗ ݂ܦ ݁ ܳܟܐ ܐ ܙܶܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



They have opened their mouth scornfully against me; they slap my cheeks all at once,

and they were filled with rage against me.



Yet, He has delivered me over to a wicked angel, 1



I was at ease, but He shook me up;

and He 2 has delivered me into the hand of the wicked one. He grabbed my neck,

and He befuddled me;

He set me up as a target for Himself.



And His arrows have multiplied against me,

and He shot at my innards, 3 and He does not have pity. He poured out my gall upon the earth.

     

He broke through, breech after breech, 4

and He charged at me, as a mighty warrior.

I have girded myself with sackcloth over my skin, and I have sprinkled my head with dust.

My appearance has been distorted 5 from weeping; and my eyes, from the shadow of death, although there is no iniquity in my hands and my prayer is pure.

Earth, do not conceal my blood! And may there be no resting place for my loud cries! Yet, surely, even now my witnesses are in heaven, and my friends are on high.

‘angel’ or ‘messenger’. Išoʿdād interprets as a ‘personal angel’, see Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 35). Bar ʿEbroyo interprets as ‘Satan’ (Bernstein 1858, 196). 2 ‘He’: referent in verses 11–14 unclear, poss. ‘God,’ ‘angel,’ or ‘Satan’. See Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 35); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 196). 3 ‘innards’: lit. ‘kidneys’. 4 ‘breech after breech’: lit. ‘breech in the midst of breech’. 5 ‘distorted’: lit. ‘confounded’. 1



‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܦ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܗܘܢ ݁ܒ ܶܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܕ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܠܝ ܦ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚܘ ݁ ܰܦ ݁ ̈ܟܝ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ܶܡ ݂ܬܡܠܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܠ ܰܡ� ݂ ܳܟܐ ܥܰܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ‬ ‫ܐܫ�ܡ ̱‬ ‫ܺܘ� ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܪ ܺܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܥܐ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫ�ܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܫ� ܗ ܺܘܝܬ‪ :‬ܘ ܰܛ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܦܢ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫̱ ݂‬ ‫ܶܐ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ̱‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒ ݁ܕ ܰܪ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܶܠܗ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܺܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܡ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܓܝܘ ܥܠܝ ݁ ܶܓܐ � ̱‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܕ ܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܟ ̈ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܘ� ܳܚܣ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܳ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܡܪ ݁ܪܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܫ ݂ܕ ܥ‬ ‫݁ܰ ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܬܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܓܘ ܬܘܪ ݂‬ ‫ܢܝ ܬܘܪ ݂‬ ‫ܬܪܥ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܗܛ ܥܠ ܰܝ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰܣ ܳܩܐ ܶܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܒܢܶ ݂ܬ ܥܰܠ ܶܡ ݁‬ ‫ܝܫܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܟ ̱ܝ‪݂ .‬ܘܦ‬ ‫�ܦܠ ݂ܬ ݁ܒܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܪ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ݁ ܰ ̈ ܶ݁ ݁ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܐ‪ܳ .‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ̈ܙ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܶܡܢ ܛܠܠܗ ݁ܕ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܦܝ ܐܬܕܠܚ ̱ܝ ܡܢ ܒ ݂ܟ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ ܥܰ ܳܘ� ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕܝ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܰܠ ݁ܕ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܨܠ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܳܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܝ‪ .‬ܘ� ܢܗܘܐ ܐ ݂ܬܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫�ܙ ܳܥ ̈ܩ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪܥܐ � ݂ܬ ݂ ܰܟ ܶܣܐ ݂ ܶܕ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܳܣ ̈ܗ݁ ܰܕܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܝ ݂ ̈ܕܥܰܝ ݁ ܰܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

VI



Chapter  And Job answered:



‘I have heard many things like these;



Do not grieve my spirit through words;



I also could talk like you!

you 1 are comforting me with injustice, all of you!

though you would speak to me, I cannot answer. Oh that you would have gone through this instead of me. 2

In words, I would then examine you; I would shake my head against you!

   

For I have examined you thoroughly by your own words,

yet I have not yet spared you from the talk of my lips.

If I should speak, however, my pain is not relieved; if I refrain, who gives me relief?

Because, for now, He has exhausted me, and He has observed all of my testimony. He put me on the stand, 3 and I became a witness; my lie stood against me,

and I spoke before Him.



His wrath has defeated 4 me and torn me apart, and He gnashed His teeth against me.

My enemies have fastened their eyes upon me.

‘you’: the word ‘you’ in this and the following verses is plural. ‘you … through this instead of me’: lit. ‘your souls … instead of my soul’. 3 ‘put me on the stand’: lit. ‘made me stand up’. See Introduction. 4 ‘defeated’ or ‘broken’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܨܚ ܘ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫ܝܘ‪.‬‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܫܡܥ ܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܕ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܢ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܡܒ ܳ ̈ܝ ܰܐܢܝ ݁ܒܥܰ ܳܘ� ܰܐܢ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ ݁ ܽܟ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫�ܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܳ� ݂ ܰܬ ݂ܟ ܽܪܘܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚܝ ݁ܒ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫�ܪ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܦܢ ݁ ܺܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܘܢ ܺܠܝ‪�ܳ � :‬ܢܶܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܐ ݂ܟ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܐ ܰܡܠܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬ ݂ܘܦ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܒ ̈� ݂ ܳܕܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ ܰܢ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܫ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܚܠ ݂ܦ ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ݁ܒ ̈ܡ�‪:‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܺܩ ݂‬ ‫ܝܕ ݂ܬ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘܐܢ ܺ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܫܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ ݁ܒ ܺܪ ̱‬ ‫ܝܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ݁ܒ ܶܡ ܰ� ̈� ݁ ܽܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒܨܶ ݂‬ ‫ܣܟ ݂ܬ ܶܡ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܡ� ܳ� ݂ܕ ܶܣ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܳ� ݂ ܶܕܝܢ ܶܚ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܶܐ ܰܡܠ ܶܠ ݁ ܶܓܝܪ‪ܳ ݂ �ܳ :‬ܦ ܶܪܩ ݁ ܺܟ ݂ܐܒ ̱ܝ‪ܶ .‬ܘܐܢ ܳܫ ܶ� ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܘܚ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܛܪ ݁ ܽܟ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܳܣ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܗܕ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܝ‪ .‬ܘ‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕܗܫܐ ܐ�ܝ ̱‬ ‫ܢܝ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺܐܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳܣ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܕ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂‬ ‫ܝܡ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܰܡ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܬ ݁ ܺܒܝ ݂ ܰܟ ݁ ܳܕ ݂ ܽܒ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܡܠ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܽܪܘܓ ܶܙܗ ݁ ܰܬ ݂ܒ ܰܪܢܝ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܚ ̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܪܩ ܥܠܝ ܶܫ ܰ�ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒܥ ܶ� ݁ ̈ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ ܰܒܝ ܰܚ ݁ ܰܒܪ ̱ܘ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



He has charged against Him with a proud neck,



He has covered his face with his fat,



He has populated deserted cities that are without inhabitants,



He shall not remain, and his strength shall not stand,



They 2 shall not depart from the darkness,

and with the nape of his neck, 1 with many rows of shields.

and he has placed the Pleiades above Aldebaran.

and he has been ready for war.

and he shall not cast words upon the earth. and the flame shall wither his shoots,

and He shall be insane by the breath of his own mouth.



He shall not trust in the deceitful lie,



He has withered up before his time, 3



As the vine, he shall shake off his grapes,



because his growth is in vain.

and his hands shall have no ability.

and as the olive tree, he shall cast off his shoot.

Because the assembly of the ungodly will be for desolation and destruction, and fire shall consume the tents of the perverse.



They have conceived iniquity and begot deceit, so their bellies 4 are full of fraud.’

‘nape of his neck’: lit. ‘the ‘back side of his back’. ‘They’ (masc.): referent unclear. 3 ‘before his time’: lit. ‘without his days’. 4 ‘bellies’ or ‘wombs’. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܪܗܛ ܥܠ ܰܘܗܝ ݁ܒ ܰܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܘ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܳܪ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܳܩ ݂ܦ ܳܝܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓ ݂ܐܬ ܶܣ ݂ܕ� ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܣ ݁ܟ ܶ� ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕܠܗ‪݁ :‬ܒܣ ݂ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܰ݁ ܰ ̈ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܪܒܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܙ ݂ܘܟܣܝ ܐܦܘ ̱ܗܝ ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ ܺܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ �ܥ ܶܠ ܶܡܢ ܺ� ܽܝ ݂ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘܬ ݂ܒ ܽܩܘ� ܳ�ܐ ܰܚ� ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ� ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ̈ܒܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܚ ܘ‬ ‫ܶܘ ݁ܐܬ ܰܛ ܰܝ ݂ܒ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܟܛ � ݂ ܰܢܟ ݁ܬܪ ܘ� ܽܢܩܘܡ ܰܚܝܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܶ ̈ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܢܪܡܐ ܡ� ܥ‬ ‫ܠ ܳܘ� ܢܶܥ ݂ ܽܢܕܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ݁ ܰ݁ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܢܩܘ ̱ܗܝ ܬܝܒܫ ܫ�ܗ ݂ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܛܐ ݂ܒ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫� ܳܘ� ܰܢܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܡܢ ݂‬ ‫�ܕ ܓܠ ݂ܘܬܐ ܡܛܥ�ܢ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܺ ܺ ܳ ݀ ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕܐܝܩܐ ܗܘ ݂ܬ ܡܘܥ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܝܺ ݂ ܶܒܫ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܒ ܰܘ݂ܕ� ݂ܒ ܰ�ܘ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ � ܢܶ ̈ܫ ݁ܟ ܳܚܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺܘܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ̱‬ ‫ܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܓ ܢܶܥܩܘܪ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܓ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܐ ݂ ܶܒܣ� ̱‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܫܕ ܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܙܝܬܐ ܡܘܥ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܽ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ�̈ ݁ ܶܦܐ ݂ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܠ ܽܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܒܐ ܰܘ�ܨܶ ݂ܕ ܳ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܕ ܡܛܠ ܕ ݂ܟܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܽܶ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܳ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܢܘܪ ܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܐܟܘܠ ܠܡܫܟܢܐ ݂ܕ�ܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܶ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ‪ܰ ݂ .‬‬ ‫ܘܟ� ܳܣ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ ܰܡ ̈� ܳܝܢ ܢܶ ݂ܟ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܗ ܒܛܢ ̱ܘ ܥܘ�‪ :‬ܘܝܠ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܥ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



What is a human being, that he should be innocent?



Look, God 2 does not have faith in His holy ones, 3

  

Or what is one born of a woman, 1 that he should be justified?

and even heaven is not pure before Him.

Also, if a man is rejected and stricken, he shall drink wickedness as water. I will show you, listen to me!

I will repeat what I have seen:

that which the wise ones have shown, and they did not conceal from their forefathers.



To them alone the earth was given,



All the days of the wicked one, he exalts himself,



A terrible noise is in his ears,



He does not believe that he can turn from darkness;



He keeps fleeing toward the threat of judgment,



Oppression shall terrify him, and trouble shall overtake him,



because he has lifted up his hand against God,

and a foreigner did not pass among them.

yet the number of his years shall be closely guarded by the Almighty.

yet the plunderer shall come upon him in peace.

he beholds the sword.

and, wherever he is, he knows that the day of darkness is ready by his own hand. as a king who is ready for war,

and he has emboldened himself against the Almighty.

‘one born of a woman’. See Job 14:1. ‘God’: lit. ‘He’. 3 ‘holy ones’ or ‘saints’. See Job 4:18. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܝܕ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܐ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ݂ܕܢܶ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܙܟܐ‪:‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ݁ܰ݁ܰ ܺ ܺ ܰ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܡܢܘ ܢܙܕ ܕܩ ܝܠ ݂ܝܕ ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܗ ܳܗܐ ݂ܒ ܰܩ ݁ ܺܕ ܝ ̈ ܰܫ ̱‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܳ� ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܟܝܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬܐ ܥܰܘ� ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܘ ܐ ݂ܦ ܐܢ ܡܣܬ� ܘܡܬܛܪ ݂ܦ ݁ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ‪ :‬ܢ‬ ‫ܝܙ ܶܐ ܰܚ ܶܘ ݂ܝܟ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܡܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܶ ݁ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐ ݁ܬ ܶ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܕܡ ܕܚܙ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚ ݁ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܺܟ ̈ܝ ܶܡܐ ܰܚ ܺܘܝܘ‪ :‬ܘ� ݂ ܰܟ ܺܣܝܘ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܛ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ ܶܐ ݂ܬܝܰܗ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ ݀‬ ‫�ܚ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ݁ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܘ� ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܽܢ ݂ܘܟ ܳܪ ܳ�ܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܥܐ ܶܡܬ ܰܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܕܪ ܺܫ ܳ ݂‬ ‫ܟ ݁ܟܠ ܰܝܘ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ̈ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܛܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢܝܢ ܫ�ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܢ ݂ܬ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܐ ܩ ܠ ܙ ݂‬ ‫ܘܥܬܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ̈ܐܕ ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫݂ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܒܫ� ܳܡܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܽܙ ܳܘܙ ܐ ܺܢ ݂ܐܬܐ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܝܡܢ ݁ܕ ܳܗ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܟ ܶܡܢ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܒ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܚ ܶܙ ܐ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܓ ܳ� ܶܪܩ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܠ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܕܗ ܝܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܛ ܰܝ ݂ܒ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ݂ ܺܒ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܝܟܐ ݂ܕܗܘ ܝ ݂ܕܥ ܕ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘ�ܨ ܳܢܐ‪ .‬ܘܥ ݂‬ ‫ܩܬܐ ݂ܬ݂ܕܪ ݂ܟܝ ̱‬ ‫ܟܕ ܢܶ ݂ܒܥ ݂ܬܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܛ ܰܝ ݂ܒ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܡ�ܟܐ ݂ܕ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܗ ܡܛܠ ܕܐܪܝܡ ܥ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܰܒܪ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



Eliphaz the Temanite replied:



‘The wise of spirit will answer with knowledge,



to rebuke words that are improper and words that have no profit.

yet his belly would be full of anger



Moreover, you are taking away a sense of reverence, 1



For your mouth would teach sins,



Your mouth shall convict you, not I,

 

and you are prolonging talk before God.

and you are delighting in a tongue of deceit. and, before me, your lips shall witness against you.

Were you born before humanity? Or, were you conceived before the hills? Have you overheard the mystery of the Lord? And has wisdom been revealed to you?



What do you know that we do not?



Look, among us is the grey-headed as well as the elderly,



Keep back from yourself the reproaches of God,



Why has your heart been exulted?



that you exalt your spirit against God,

Or, what do you understand that is not also ours? even older in age 2 than your father! and speak calmly to yourself. 3

And why do your eyes make signs 4

and you bring forth words from your mouth?

‘sense of reverence’: lit. ‘fear’. See Job 4:6. ‘older in age’: lit. ‘greater in days’. 3 ‘yourself’: lit. ‘your soul’. 4 ‘make signs,’ ‘hint’, or ‘wink’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫ܝܗ‪.‬‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܶܐ ܺܠ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡ� ܳܝܐ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܦܙ ݁ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ݁ܺ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܚܟܝܡ ܪܘܚܐ ܢܥܢܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܝܕ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ݂ ܰܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܣܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܡ� ܚ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܠ ܰܡ ݁ ܳܟ ܽܣܘ ܶܡ ܺ� ̈ܝܢ ݁ܕ ܳ� ݂ ܳܟܫ ܳ�ܢ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ܒ ̈ܶܡ� ݂ܕ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܒ ܶܗܝܢ ܽܝ ݂ܘܬ ܳܪܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ ݁ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂‬ ‫ܡܒܛ�ܢ̱ܬ ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܓܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‬ ‫ܘܡ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܠ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܺܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܠ ݂ܦ ݁ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܟ ܚܛܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܨ ݂ ܶܒܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ܒ ܶ� ܳܫ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕܢܶ ݂ܟ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ݁ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܟ ܘ� ܐ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܚ ݂ܝܒ ݂ܟ ܦ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܘ ݂ ܳܬ ݂ܟ ܰܢܣ ̈ܗ݂ ܳܕܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܟ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡܐ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܶܐ ݂ ܺܬܝܠ ܶ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ‪ܰ .‬ܐܘ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܳ� ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܒܛ ݁ܢܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡ ݁‬ ‫݁ܒ ̱ܐ ܳܪ ܙܶܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡܪ ܳ�ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܝ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܥܬ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ܶܚ ݂ܟ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܢܢ � ܝܳ ݂ܕܥܺܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܢܐ ܝ ݂ܕܥ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܡܢܐ ܡ ݂ܬܒܝܢ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܕ� ̱ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܰܒܢ ݁ܕ ܰܩ ܺܫܝܫ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܰܒܢ ݁ܕ ܳܣ ݂ܒ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܦ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ݂ܕܥܰ ݁ܬܝܩ ܐ ݂ܦ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ݂ܘܟ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܐܙܥܰܪ ܶܡ ܳܢ ݂ܟ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܳܚ ܰܡܘܗܝ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܢܝܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܠ ܶܠ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܺܪܝܡ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ܡ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܡܙܢ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ݁ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܪܝܡ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ݂ܟ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܶ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܟ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܦܩ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܡܢ ܦ‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Oh that You would have hidden me away in Sheol

and concealed me until Your anger would pass!

Yet You placed a covenant upon me and remembered me.



If a man dies, can he yet live?



If You would call me, I would answer You.



Because of my current manner of life, You will neither count



Seal my offenses in a bag,



Still, he waits expectantly all the days of his youth until his senility arrives. Consider 1 the work of Your hands! nor keep track of my sins.

and remove my sins from me!

In truth, does a strong mountain fall down? Or can a boulder be shaken from its place?



Does a stone erode water? Or fine dust, the soil of the ground?



You can always overpower him and he departs.



If his offspring should increase, he is unaware.



A person’s hope is destroyed!

You can send him forth with shame on his face. And if they should diminish, he has no recollection of them.

Nevertheless, his flesh shall pain him, and his soul shall weep for him.’

1

‘consider’ or ‘and I will meditate upon’.



‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܒ‬

‫ܰ ܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܢܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܛܫ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܬܢܝ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܳܙ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ܰܣ ݁ܬ ݁ ̱ ݂‬ ‫ܥܕܡܐ ݂ܕܢ ݁ܥܒܪ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܣ ݁‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬ ܺܠܝ ݂ ܶܕܝܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܝ ܳܡܐ ܶܘܐ ݁ܬ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܟ ݁ܪܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܳܡܐܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡܐ ܳܚ ܶܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ ܽ ܰ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ ܰܕܥܠ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܡ ݂ܘܬܶܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܣ ݁ ܶܟܐ‪݂ :‬ܥܕܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܐܬ�ܐ ܣ‬ ‫ܝܒ ݂ܘܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܟ�ܗܘܢ ܝܘܡ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ݁ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪ :‬ܐܥܢܶ ݂ܝܟ‪:‬‬ ‫ܩܪ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ ܐ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ܰܫ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܰܗ ݂ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܠܟ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ݁ܕ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ � ݂ܬܡܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶܰ‬ ‫ܳܰ‬ ‫ܘ� ݂ܬܛܪ ܥܰܠ ܚܛ ̈ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܚܬܘܡ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܨܪ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ݁ ܰܒܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܚܛ ̈ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܐܦ ܶܪܩ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐ ܺܝܬ ܛܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܩ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܥܰ ܺܫ ܳܝܢܐ ܳܢ ݂ ܶܦܠ‪ܰ :‬ܐܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ ܶܡ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܙܺܝܥ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܕ ݁ܘܟ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫݁ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ̇ܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟ ݂ܐܦܐ ܫܚܩܐ ܡܝܐ‪ :‬ܐܘ ܟ‬ ‫ܰܣ ݂ܒ ܶܪܗ ݁ܕܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܰܐ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܰ‬ ‫ܥܫܢܝܘܗܝ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥܠ ܰܡ ܰܘ ܰܢܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ ܺ ̱‬ ‫݁ܒ ݂ ܶܒ ݁‬ ‫ܗܬ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ ܰܕܐ ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܬܶ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܕܝ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܢܶ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪ܳ � :‬ܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܓܘܢ ݁ܒܢ̈ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܥ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܬ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܢ ܢܙܥܪܘܢ‪ � :‬ܡ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܐ ݂ ܶܒܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܢܶ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܐܒ‪ܰ .‬ܘܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ݁ ܶܒܣܪܗ ܥܠ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘So is one born of a woman,



And as a flower he sprouts forth, and dries up, and withers,



Even so, upon this one You have opened Your eyes,



Who can produce something clean from the unclean? None!



for he is but few of days and endures turmoil.

and he flees as a shadow, and he does not remain.

and You would bring him into judgment with You.

If his days are determined 1 and the number of his months are ordained, You have created a law that he cannot transgress.

 

And he will linger, until he hurries along as the days of a day-laborer. 2

After all, there is hope for a tree — if it is chopped down — that it will sprout forth again, and its shoots will not disappear.

 

And if its root will grow old in the earth and its sprout die in the dust, at the scent of water it will bud and produce leaves as does a plant.



A man dies and rots,



Water disappears from the sea,



A man who lies down will not rise up —

and an individual comes to an end and no longer exists. and a river is ruined and dries up.

until the heavens wear out, they will not be awakened nor roused from their sleep.

‘determined’: lit. ‘cut off’. 2 ‘he hurries along as the days of a day-laborer’: lit. ‘he will make run, as a daylaborer, his days’. See also Job 7:1. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܝܕ‪.‬‬

‫ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܝܺܠ ݂ܝܕ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܙܥܘܪ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܺܡܝܢ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ ܶܒܠ ܰܙܘ ܳܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܽܥ ݂ܘܦ ܳܝܐ ܳܢ ݂ ܶܦܩ‪ :‬ܘܝܳ ݂ ܶܒܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܶܪܩ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܛ ܳ��‪ :‬ܘ� ܳܩܐܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ݁‬ ‫ܚܬ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝ ݁ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ ܥܰܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ݂ܦ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܗ ݁ܬܥ ܶܠ ݁ܒ ݂ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܢܶ ݁ܬܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܳܝܐ ܶܡܢ ܛ ܳܡܐܐ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܦ� ܰܚ ݂ܕ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪ܶ :‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܓ ܺܙ ܺܝܪܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܰܝ� ܰܚ ̱‬ ‫ܐܢ ݁ܦ ܺܣܝܩܝܢ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܝܘ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܳܢ ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܢܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܶܡܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕܢܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܢܦܘܫ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪܗܛ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܐ ݂ܺܓܝܪ ܐ ܰܝܘ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ ܰܣ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܶ ݁ .‬ܕܐܢ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ܶܣܩ‪݁ :‬ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܰܡܚܠ ݂ܦ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ ܺܕ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܢ ܰܩ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ � ܳ��̈ ݁ ܳܕܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܢܶ ܰܣ ݂ܐܒ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ ܥ ܶ ܳܩ ܶܪܗ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ܒܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܬ ܽܡ ݂ܘܬ ܡܘܥ ݂‬ ‫ܝܚܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ܳ ̈ܝܐ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܰܪܥ‪ :‬ܘܢܶ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܛ� ݂ ܶܦܐ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܺܢܨ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܺܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܘܒ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ܡܐ ݂ܬ‪݂ :‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣܐ ݂ܦ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ‪ :‬ܘܠ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܥ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܢܕܝܢ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ ܶܡܢ ܝܰ ܳܡܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܪ ܐ ܳܚ ܶܪ ݂ܒ ܘܝܳ ݂ ܶܒܫ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܳܫ ݂ ܶܟ ݂ܒ‪ܳ � :‬ܩܐܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ‪ �ܳ :‬ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܥܺ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܰ ݂ܕ ݁ ܳܒܠ ܶܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܪܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳ� ݂ ܺܕܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܶܫ ܰܢ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

For You have written down a punishment against me,

and You are bringing to mind the guilt 1 of my youth against me.

You have placed my feet in a shackle, and You have observed all my ways, and You would investigate the very firmness of my feet.



Yet that one 2 is like a water skin that is rotted, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.’

‘guilt’: lit. ‘guilts’ (pl.). 2 ‘one’: lit. ‘he’. 1



‫‪ ‬ܟܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܚ‬

‫ܰ ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܕ ݂ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ݂ܬ ݂ܒ ݁ܬ ܥܠܝ ܡ‬ ‫ܘ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܟܪ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܥܠ ܰܝ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ݁ ܶܒܐ ݁ܕ ܰܛ ܽ‬ ‫�ܝ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ݁ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܽ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣܡܬ � ݂ܓܠܝ ܒܣܕ ܐ‪ .‬ܘܢܛܪܬ ܟ‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܬ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܦܐ ݂ܕ ܶ�ܓܠ ܰܝ ݁ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܘ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܪ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܒܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳܒ�‪:‬‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ ݂ ܳܕ ݂ ܶܐܟܠ ܶܠܗ ܳܣ ܳܣܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

Be silent before me, and I also will speak,

and I will tell of all that has happened to me!

Why do I carry my flesh in my teeth, and my life 1 is placed in my hands?



Though He should kill me, I am waiting for Him alone,



Also, He will be my Savior,



Listen attentively to my words,



Surely, I am also bringing my case



Who is the one who litigates with me,



Just let two things not leave me,



do not release Your hand from me,



So call to me and I will answer.



How many offenses and sins are mine!

 

because my ways are before Him.

because no ungodly person comes before Him. and I will state my testimony before you. — I know that I am innocent!

that, for now, I can be quiet and at rest? and then I will not wander before You: 2 and do not let Your fearsomeness frighten me. Or I will speak out, and You return an answer to me. Make me to understand my offenses and my sins!

Why do You turn Your face away from me, so that You have considered me an enemy? You crush a dry leaf that falls, and You chase after dry straw.

‘life’ or ‘soul’. 2 ‘You’: in the following verses, ‘you’ returns to the singular. 1



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܐܡܠ� ݂ܦ ܐ ܳܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܢܝ‪ :‬ܘ‬ ‫ܝܓ ݂‬ ‫ܫܬܘܩ ̱ܘ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܺܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫� ܳܢܐ ݂ ܶܒܣܪ ̱ܝ ݁ܒ ̈ܶܫ ܰܢܝ‪ܰ .‬ܘܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ ܺܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܕ ܥܰܠ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܫܩܝ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪ܶ :‬ܠܗ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܣ ݁ ܶܟܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫�ܚ ݂ܘܕ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܗ ܐܢ ܢܶܩܛܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܽܕܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐܢ ܶܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܺܠܝ ݂ ܳܦ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘ ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܽܗܘ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܩܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܘܗܝ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫�ܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ� ܥܐܠ ݂ ܳ ̱‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ̱ܘ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ܶܡ ܰ� ̈ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܙ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܝ ܺܐ ܰܡܪ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܘ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܚ ܳܗܐ ܳܐ ݂ܦ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܺܕ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܶܕ ܰܐܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܙ ݁ ܳܟܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܡܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܛ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܳܕܐܢ ܥܰ ̱‬ ‫݁ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܫܬܘܩ ܶܘܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܺ�ܝܚ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܗܫܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܟ ݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ݁ ܰܬ ݁ܪܬܶܝܢ ܳ� ݂ ܰܬ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ݁ܝܟ � ܐ ݁ܬܛܥܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܐ ܐ ݂ ܳܝܕ ݂ܟ � ݂ܬ ݂ܦ ܶܪܩ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܠܬ ݂ܟ � ݂ܬܙܺܝܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܟܒ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܐܥܢܶܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܩܪ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܒ ̱‬ ‫ܐܘ ܐܡܠܠ ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܓ ݁ܟ ܳܡܐ ܺܠܝ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ݁ ܶܒܐ ܰܘܚܛ ̈ܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ̈݁ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܛ ܰ ̈ܗܝ ܰܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܘܒܝ ܘ‬ ‫ܘܕܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܡ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ̱ܢܝ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܒܥ ܶ ݁‬ ‫ܠܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܝ‪ .‬ܘܚܫ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܟ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܐ ݁ܦ ̈ܝ ݁ܟ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ݁ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳ� ܰܝ ݁ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ‪ܳ ݁ :‬ܕ ܶܐܫ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ܶ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܳܪ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܦ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܗ ܠܛ ݂ܪܦܐ ܝܒܝܫܐ ݂ܕܢ ݂‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘Surely, all these things my eye has seen,



As you yourselves know, I also know;



But, nevertheless, I am going to speak with the Almighty myself,



But as for yourselves, you are orators of falsehood,



Oh, that you would indeed be silent,



Listen, therefore, to my reproof,

 

and my ear has heard, and I have understood. I am not less than you. 1

and I will demonstrate my reproof with God. and you are worthless healers. 2

for this, then, would be as wisdom to you! and hear the judgment of my lips.

You are speaking iniquity against God, and against Him you are speaking fraud. Will you show partiality to Him, or will you plead a case with God?



It is well for you that He should examine you.



He will indeed convict you! Or do you show partiality to Him?

Or, just as He is judged by all humanity, are you judged by Him?



His fearsomeness 3 shall prosecute you,



Recall that your authority derives from the dust,

and His dreadfulness shall fall upon you.

and your dwelling place is close by the clay. 4

‘you’: in the following verses, ‘you’ is plural. ‘worthless healers’: lit. ‘healers lacking anything’. 3 ‘His fearsomeness’: lit. ‘His fear’. 4 ‘close by the clay’ or perhaps ‘on the mud-bank’: lit. ‘by the side of clay’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܝܓ‪.‬‬

‫ܳܗܐ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܚܙ ݂ܬ ݀ ܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݀ ܶ‬ ‫ܬ ܐ݂ܕ ̱ܢܝ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܒܝܢܶ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܫܡܥ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܥܬ ݂ܟܘܢ ܝ ݂ܕܥ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܐ ݂ܦ ܐܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܝ ݂ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܒ ܺܨܝܪ ܶܡ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܰ ݁ܶ ܶܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫� ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒܪܡ ܕܝܢ ܐܢܐ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܚܣܝܢܐ‬ ‫ܡܡܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܐ ܰܚ ܶܘܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ݁ܟ ܳܣ ܽܢ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܩܪ ܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܡܡ ̱ܠܠܝ ܫ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ̈ܣ ܰܝܝ ݁ܒ� ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬܩ ܰܫ ݁ܬ ܺܝܩܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘ ݁ܝܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ݂‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂ܬ݀ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܟܘܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܚ ݂ܟ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ̱ܘ ܳܗ ݂ ܺܟܝܠ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ܳܣ ܽܢ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܨܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ݁ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ܕ ܶܣ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܢܶ ݂ܟ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܥܰ� ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܥܰܘ�‪ܰ .‬ܘܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫݁ܰ ݁ ܰ ̈ ܳ ݁ܺ ܰ ܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܣܒܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ‪ .‬ܐܘ ܥܰܡ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܳܕ ܺܝܢܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒܐܦܘ ̱ܗܝ ܢ‬ ‫ܠܟܘܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܒܨܶ ܐ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܛ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫݁‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫� ܳܢܫ‪ܶ :‬ܡ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܺܕ ܺܝܢܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ݁ ܶܒܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܕ ܶܡ ݁ܬܬ ݁ ܺܕܝܢ ݁ܒ ݂ܟ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܣܟܘܢ‪ܰ .‬ܐܘ ݁ ܰܒ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܡ ݁ ܳܟ ܽܣܘ ܰܢ ݁ ܶܟ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܦ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܳܢ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܒܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܠܬܗ ݁ܬ ݂ܒܥ ܶ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܘܥܬܗ ݁ܬ ݁ ܶܦܠ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܙ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܛ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ݇ܟܪ ̱ܘ ݁ܕ ܶܡܢ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܰܪ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܫ‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܶܓܢ ݂ܒ ܛܺ ܰܝܢܐ ܗܘ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܳ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



He causes the people to go astray, and He disperses them; He spreads out the people, and He annihilates them; He spreads out the nations, and He abandons them.



He makes foolish the hearts of the world’s leaders; 1



They shall feel about in the darkness, and not in the light;

He leads them astray in the trackless wasteland.

they shall grope the darkness, and not the brightness. He makes them go astray as drunkards.’

1

‘hearts of the world’s leaders’: lit. ‘heart of the leaders of the people of the earth’.



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܡܒ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܽ‬ ‫ܟܓ ܰܡܛܥ ܶܐ �ܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܘ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܫ ܰܛܚ �ܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܫ ݂ ܶܒܩ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܫ ܰܛܚ ܶ� ̈ܡ ܳܘ ݂ ܳܬܐ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܛܐ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒܐ ݂ܕ ܺ�ܝ ܰܫܘܗܝ ݁ܕܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܕ ܡ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܽ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܐ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܛܥܐ �ܗܘܢ ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܳܘ� ܒ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܘܢ ݁ܒ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܗ ܽܢܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܽ ܶܽ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܘ� ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܓܫܓܫܘܢ ܚܫ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘ ܰܡܛܥܐ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܐ ݂ܝܟ � ܰܘ ܳ�ܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



The ear hears words,



With the elders is wisdom,



With Him is wisdom and mighty vigor;



Surely, if He tears down, who can build up?



If He rebukes the waters, they dry up.



His is power and wisdom; His are might and salvation.

     

and the palate tastes food. and with long life 1 is understanding.

His is thought and understanding.

And if He shuts a man in, 2 who can re-open? And if He sends them forth, they overwhelm the earth.

He leads kings away dumbfounded, 3 and it is He who makes judges act foolishly.

He brings down kings to the gate, and He binds loincloths 4 around their sides. He leads priests away dumbfounded, and He humbles the powerful.

He removes speech from trusted advisors, 5 and He takes away the discernment of the elderly. He pours out foolishness upon rulers, and it is He who weakens the might of the mighty.

He reveals deep things from darkness, and He brings forth light from the shadows of death.

‘long life’: lit. ‘in length of days’. ‘shuts a man in’: lit. ‘closes in the face of a man’. See Job 11:10. 3 ‘dumbfounded’ or, more lit. ‘in wonder’. 4 ‘loincloths’: poss. ‘cords’, but later Syr. commentators equate with the qamrā (‘loincloth’ or ‘girdle’). See Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 31); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 195). 5 ‘advisors’: lit. ‘faithful ones’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܒ‬

‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶܶ‬ ‫ܡܥܐ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ݂ܕܢܐ ܫ‬ ‫ܶ݁ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚܟܐ ܛܥܡ ܡܐ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܩ ܺܫ ̈ܝ ܶܫܐ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓܪ ܐ ݂ܕܝܘܡ ݂‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܒܢ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܽܪ ݂ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܡܗ ̱ܗܝ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܰ‬ ‫݁ܺ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܝܠܗ ̱ܗܝ ݂ܬܪܥ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܐܢ ܳܣ ܶܚ ݂ܦ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܳܒܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܐ ܶܚ ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܒܐ ݁ ̈ܦܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܳܦ ݂ܬܚ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܢ ݁ ܳܓܥܰܪ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ‪ :‬ܝܳ ݂ܒ ܺܫܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪ܳ :‬ܗ ݂ܦ ݁ ܺܟܝܢ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܡ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫܢܐ ܽ‬ ‫݁ ܺܕܝܠ ܶܗ ܽܗܘ ܽܬ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܩ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܩܦܐ ܘ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ‪ܺ ݁ .‬ܕܝܠܗ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܽܥ ܳ ݂‬ ‫̱ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳ�ܢ̈ܐ ܽܗܘ ܰܡܫܛܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܕ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܠ ܰܡ� ݁ ̈ܟܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܡܗܐ‪ :‬ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܠܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪ܳ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܣܪ ܚ ܳܙ ̈ܩܐ ݂ܒ ܰܚ ܰܨ ܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܡ ܶܚ ݂ܬ ܠ ܰܡ� ݁ ܺܟܝܢ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܡܕ ݁ ܰܒܪ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܡܗܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ�ܥܰ ܺܫ ̈�ܢܶܐ ܡ ܰܫ ݁ ܶܦܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܟ ̈ܗܢܶܐ ݂ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܡܐ ݂ܕ ܳܣ ݂ ̈ܒܐ ܳܫ ܶܩܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡ�� ܶܡܢ ܡܗܝܡܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܛܝ ݂ܘܬܐ ܥܰܠ ܰܫ ܺ� ̈ܝܛܢܶܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘܚܠ ܽܝܨ ݂ܘܬ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ܕ ݂ܬ ܺܩ ̈ܝ ݂ ܶܦܐ ܽܗܘ ܡ ܰܪ ݁ ܶܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܫ ݂ܕ ܫ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ̈‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰܺ ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫�ܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪ .‬ܘ ܰܡ ݁ ܶܦܩ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܛܠܠ ܰܝ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܓ� ܥܡܝܩ ݂‬ ‫݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

V

 

Chapter  And Job answered:

‘Truly, you all 1 are the people, and wisdom will die with you.



Yet, I also have a heart 2 like yours,



To whom can things such as these happen,

and I am not less than you.

that one becomes a laughingstock to his friends;

one has “called out” to God, and He “answered” him 3

— He who takes delight in the righteous ones who are without blame,

 

in order to remove foolishness and iniquity, and to support the slipping foot? The tents of the robbers shall be removed

and the assurance of those who incite God to anger, because God is not in their heart.



If not, ask the wild animal and it shall teach you; 4



and tell it to the earth, and it shall instruct you;

 

and the bird of the sky, and it shall show you;

and the fish of the sea shall tell it to you.

Among all these, which does not know that the hand of the Lord has made these things?

Because in His hand are the souls of all that lives and the breath 5 of all flesh and humankind.

‘you all’: in verses 2 and 3, the ‘you’ is plural. ‘heart’ or ‘understanding’: compare with Job 11:12. 3 Job 5:1; 33:26. 4 ‘you’: the word ‘you’ in verses 7 and 8 is singular. 5 ‘breath’ or ‘spirit’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܨܚ ܗ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫ܝܒ‪.‬‬

‫ܰܘܥ ܳܢܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܬܐ ܰܐܢ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ‪ .‬ܘܥܰ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܟܘܢ ݁ܬ ܽܡ ݂ܘܬ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒܩ ݁ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܐ ݂ܟ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ ܺܠܝ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒܐ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܒ ܺܨܝܪ ܶܡ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܡܢ ܗ ̈ܘܝ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚܟܐ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܽܓ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܠܚ ݂ܒ� ̱‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪ ܐ ܰ� ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܢܝ ̱ܗܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ܕ ܳܨ ݂ ܶܒܐ ݂ܒ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܝ ̈ ܶܩܐ ݂ܕ� ܽܡܘܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܡ ݂ܦܪܩܘ ܫܛܝ ݂ܘܬܐ ܘܥܘ�‪ :‬ܘܠܡ ݂ܬܩܢܘ ܪ ݂ܓ� ܡܙ‬ ‫ܰܢܫ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܡܫ ݁ ̈ܟ ܰܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ܽܙ ̈ܘ ܙܶ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬ ݂ܘܟܠ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ݁ ܰܕܐܝܠ ܶܝܢ ݁ܕ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܪܓ ܺܙܝܢ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܒ ܶ� ݁ܒ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܽ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܦ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ �‪ܰ :‬ܫܐܠ ܠܚܝܘ ݂ܬܐ‪݂ :‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ܶܘ ݂ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܠܦܪ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܦ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܫܬܥܐ �ܪܥܐ‪݂ :‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬ ܽܥܘܢ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ܽ� ̈ܘܢܶܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰܝ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ܕ� ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ݁ܒ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‪ܺ ݁ :‬ܕ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝܕܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܬ݀ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܺ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܕܗ ܐܢ ܶܝܢ ܰܢ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܫ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܟܠ ݁ܕ ܰܚܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ ݂ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܽܘܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܟܠ ݁ܒ ܰܣܪ ܘܐ̱ ܳܢܫ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

A man who is pure takes heart,

and one who is a vigorous person helps another.

If only you had steadied your heart and stretched out your hands to Him;



if there is iniquity in your hands, He takes it away.



then, you shall raise up your hands,



then, you shall forget your drudgery,



So from midday, shame 2 shall arise,



and you shall be assured that there is hope,



and no one shall waken you.



Yet the eyes of the wicked shall fail, 3

You did not allow iniquity to reside in your tent — and you shall not be afraid of discomfort — and you shall be guided along as are flowing waters! 1

and the dark haze shall be as the morning; and you shall sleep and be at rest; Many shall seek your face.

and their own strength shall perish, 4 as well as their own hope.’ 5

‘flowing waters’: lit. ‘passing waters’. ‘shame’ or poss. ‘the pit’. 3 ‘fail’: lit. ‘be darkened’. 4 ‘perish’: lit. ‘perish from them’. 5 ‘their own hope’: lit. ‘the hope of their souls’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫ܘ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܟܐ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܰܠ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ݂ܕ ݂ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒܪ‪ܰ ݂ �ܳ :‬ܕܪ �̱ ܳܢܫ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܛܬ ܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ‬ ‫ܐܠܘ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܐ ݂ܬܩܢܬ ܠܒ ݂ܟ‪ :‬ܘ ݂ܦܫ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܥܰ ܳܘ� ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܚܩ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܪ ݁ܝܬ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟ ܳܢ ݂ܟ ܥܰܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ ݁ܬ ܺܪܝܡ ܐ ̈ܝ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܳܥ ܳܩܐ � ݂ܬ݂ܕ ܰܚܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ ܥܰܡܠ ܳ ݂ܟ ݁ܬܶ ݂ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ ܳܥ ݂ ܽܒܘ� ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܬ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܗܪ ܐ ܽܢܩܘܡ ܶܚ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܦ ܳ� ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܨ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝܬ ܰܣ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫݂ܘܬ ݁ܬ ݁ ܶܟܠ ݁ ܺܕ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫݂ܘܬ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݂ܟ ݂ܘܬ ݁ܬ ܺ�ܝܚ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܰܕܡܥܺܝܪ ܳܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܢܶ ݂ܒ ܽܥܘܢ ܐ ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܝ ݁ܟ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘ� ̈� ܰܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ݁ܕ ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ ܢܶܚ ̈ܫ ݂ ܳܟܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ ܽܬ ݁‬ ‫ܐܒ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܩܦ ܽܗܘܢ ܺܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܢ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܫ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



Zophar the Naamathite replied:



‘He does not answer in a multitude of words;



Observe, it is only the dead who will be quiet at your words;

neither can an eloquent man be justified by his statements. you speak, and there is no one who stops you.

And if you mock, there is no one who reproaches you.



You say, “I have conducted myself justly,” 1



But oh that God had provided an answer,



and revealed to you the secrets of wisdom.

and “I am pure in the eyes of your soul.” 2 and opened His lips to talk 3 with you,

For wisdom has secret parts,

and you were sure that God has forgiven your sins.



Can you discern the searching mysteries of God? 4



Can you discern the height of heaven?



Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.

 

Or, can you stand at the brink of the Almighty? Or, whence can you discern the depth of Sheol?

If He should pass by, enclose, 5 or gather together, who can deter Him? For He is the one who discerns when it is time,

and He sees iniquity — it is He who is observing!

Job 10:7. ‘the eyes of your soul’: poss. ‘in my eyes — yours’. 3 ‘opened His lips to talk’: lit. ‘raised up His lips’. 4 ‘searching mysteries of God’: lit. ‘searching of God’. Compare with Job 8:8. 5 ‘enclose’: for various interpretations of this ambiguous passage, see Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 31); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 194). 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܝܐ‪.‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܡܬ ܳ�ܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܢܐ ܨ ݂ܘܦܪ ܢ ݂‬ ‫ܶܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕ ̈ܡ� � ܳ�ܢܶܐ‪:‬‬ ‫݁ܒܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ� ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܡ ܳ�� ݂ܒ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܰܡ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܰܙܕ ݁ ܰܕܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ̈݁ ܺ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܐ ̱ܗܘ ܢܶ ݁‬ ‫ܫܬ ܽܩܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܥܰܠ ܡ�ܝܟ ܡܝ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܟ� ܳܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܡܠܠ‪ :‬ܘܠ‬ ‫ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‬ ‫ܡܡ ܶܝܩ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪ܰ :‬ܠ ݁‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܕ ܰܡ ݁ ܶܟܣ ܳܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܺ ܳܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ܒ ܶܪ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܡܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܕ ݂ܟܐܢܐ ݂‬ ‫ܰܘ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܟܐ ̱ܗ ܰܘ ݁ܝܬ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ܰܡܢ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ܕܝܳ ܶܗ ݂ܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܪܝܡ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܣ ݂ ̈ܦ ܳܘ ݂ܬܗ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܘܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ ܰܟ ̈ܣ ܳܝ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܬ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܶܩ ݂ ̈ܦ� ܠ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ ܺܕ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗ ܰܘ ݁ܝܬ ݁ܕ ܳܫ ݂ ܶܒܩ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܚܛ ܰܗܝ ̈ ݁ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܽ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰܕܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒ ݂ܘܕܩܗ ܕܐܠܗܐ ܡ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܥܰܠ ܰܣ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦܗ ݁ܕ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܩܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܩܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܶܡܢ ܐܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܟܐ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܬ ̇ܗ‪ܰ ݂ .‬‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺܪ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦ ݂ܬ ܳ�ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܶܡܢ ܝܰ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ̱ܗܝ ܡܢ ܐܪܥܐ ܡܫ ݂‬ ‫ܐܚܘܕ ܰܘ ܰܢܟܢܶܫ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܡ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܢܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܟ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܢܶ ܽ ݂ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܽܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܝܘ ݂ܶܓܝܪ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ‪ :‬ܐ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܳܗ ܶܘܐ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܙ ܐ ܥܰ ܳܘ�‪ܽ :‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܘ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



a land which is desolate as thick darkness and of the shadows of death; and there are no successions 1 or generations,

and the desolate 2 is as the darkness.’

‘successions’: lit. ‘orders’. 2 ‘the desolate’: LP and many MSS read ‘deserted’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 1



‫‪ ‬ܟܒ‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ̈‬ ‫ܗ�ܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܚ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܘܛܠܠ ܰܝ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ ݂ܕܫ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܶܣ ݂ܕ�ܝܢ ܘ݂ ܳܕ �ܝܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܗ�ܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܚ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܫ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Life and peace You have created with me,



Still, You have hidden these things in Your heart;



Namely, that if I have sinned, You keep watching me,



If I have sinned, woe to me!

and my spirit has observed Your commandments. I have been certain that this was in Your mind: and You do not absolve me of my sins.

If I am justified, I cannot raise up my head;

I am full of shame, and I have seen my humiliation.



If I am exulted, You shall hunt me as a lion!



You are preparing Your armament against me,

And You, turning around, would show off Your awesome might against me! and You increase Your wrath towards me, and You replenish armies against me.



So why, then, did You deliver me from the womb?



I should be as though I had not existed,



The days of my life are limited.



before I am on my way 1 — I will not return —

For I should have perished, and the eye should not have seen me! for then they should have carried me from the womb to the grave. Leave me alone, so I will be quiet and have a little rest,

to the dark land of the shadows of death;

1

‘am on my way’: lit. ‘going out’.



‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫ܘܚ ̈ܝܶܐ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܫ� ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܒ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ ܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܘܦ ̈ܘܩ ݁ ܳܕ ܰܢ ݁ܝܟ ܢܶ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܛܪ ݂ܬ݀ ܪ ̱‬ ‫ܘܗ ܶܠܝܢ ݁ ܰܟ ܺܣ ݁‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܒ ܶ� ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܟ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܕ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂ܬ݀ ݁ܒ ܶܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܥ� ܳܢ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪ܳ :‬ܢܛܪ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܶܕܐܢ ܚܛ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ̈ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܡܙ ݁ ܶܟܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܚܛܗܝ �‬ ‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪ܳ :‬ܘܝ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ܚܛ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܰܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܫܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܐ ݁ ܰܙܕ݁ܕ ܶܩ ݂ܬ‪ � :‬ܐܪܝܡ ܪ ̱‬

‫ܡ ܰܣ ݁ ܰܒܥ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܰܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܽܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܪ ܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܟ ݂ܟ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܙ ݂‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܶܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܺܪܝܡ‪ܰ :‬ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܐ ܳܪ�ܐ ݂ܬ ܽܨ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܟ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܐ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܰܙ ܳܝܢ ݂ܟ ܽܠ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܒܠ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܓܐ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܽܪܘܓ ܳܙ ݂ܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚܠ ݂ܦ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ̈ܝ ܰ� ܳܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ݁ ܶ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܠܡܢܐ ܡܢ ܡܪܒܥܐ ܐܦ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܳܰ‬ ‫ܚܙ ݂ܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܣ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ‪ :‬ܘܥܝܢ �‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܕ� ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܣܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܩ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܶܕܝܢ ܐ ݁ܘܒܠ ̱‬ ‫ܽ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܝܢ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ܰ ̈ܝܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܙܥ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪ܶ :‬ܘܐܫ� ܶܘ ݁ܐܬ ݁ܬ ܺ�ܝܚ ܰܩܠܝܠ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܦ ܽܪܘܩ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܘܒ ܳ� ܶܐ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܘܟ‪:‬‬ ‫� ܳܢܐ‪݂ ݂ :‬‬ ‫ܥܰ ݂ܕ� ܐ ܙܶ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ̈‬ ‫ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ܘܟ ݁ܬܐ ݁ܕܛܠܠ ܰܝ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘I am weary with my own life;



Thus I shall say to God, “Do not declare me guilty!”



Is it not enough for You,

I have considered my thought, so I will speak out in the bitterness of my soul.

and “Allow me to know why You are judging me!” that You oppress and have contempt for the work of Your hands, and You inspect the plan of wicked people?



Perhaps Your eyes are as eyes of flesh?



Or are Your days as the days of a human being?



that You should inquire into my guilt and my sins?

Or do You see as a human sees? 1

Or are Your years as a man’s years 2



For You know that I am innocent,



Your hands have labored in me and created me;



Remember that it was as clay You created me,



As was with milk, You have raised me,



With skin and flesh You have clothed me,

and there is nobody that can save himself from Your hands. afterwards, do You wish to declare me guilty and to destroy 3 me?

yet You are restoring me back to the dust! and as with cheese, You curdle me.

and with tendons and bones You made me firm.

‘as a human sees’: lit. ‘as is the showing of a human being’ (evoking mirror imagery). 2 ‘years’: lit. ‘days’. 3 ‘destroy’ or ‘drown’. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܝ‪.‬‬

‫ܳܥ ܰܩ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܬ ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ ݁ܒ ܰܚ ܰ ̈ܝܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܡܠ ܶܠ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܝ‪ܶ .‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺܪܢ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܒ ܶܪ ܺܢ ̱‬ ‫ܺܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܰ� ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪݂ �ܳ :‬ܬ ܰܚ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܒ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ ܥܰܠ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܳܕܐܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܘܕܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫� ݂ ܰܟ ݁ ܽܕܘ ܳܠ ݂ܟ‬ ‫݁ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܣ� ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ � ݂ܘܬܐ ݂ ܺܕܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܛܠܡ ܐܢ̱ܬ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ ܐ݂ ܺܕ ݁‬ ‫ܝܩܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܬܪܥ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܶܶ‬ ‫ܕܠܡܐ ��ܢܝܟ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ��ܢܝ ܒܣܪ ܐ ܐܢܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙ�ܐ ̱ܗܘ ݁ܕܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܳܚ ܶܙ ܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܫܢ̈ ݁ܝܟ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ ܐܢ ܶܝܢ ݁ܕ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܰ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕܡܥܰ ܶܩ ݂ܒ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܥܰܠ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ݁ ܰܒܝ ܘܥܰܠ ܚܛ ̈ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ ܶܕ ܳܐܢܐ ܰܙ ݁ ܳܟܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ݁ ܶ ܺ̈ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬ ܰܘܙ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܠܝܬ ܕܡܢ ܐܝ ݂ܕܝܟ ܡ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ � ̈ܝ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܘܥܰ ݂ ̈ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܪܟܢ ܳܨ ݂ ܶܒܐ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܡܛ ݁ ܳܒ ܽܥ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܚ ܳܝ ݂ ܽܒ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܢܝ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ݇ܟܪ ݁ ܰܕ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܛ ܰܝܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܟ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ�ܥ ݂ܦܪ ܐ ܡ‬ ‫ܰ݁ ܺ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܰܚ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܒܐ ̱ܗܘ ܪܒ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ݁ܓ ݂ ܶܒ ݁ܬܐ ̱ܗܘ ܡܣ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ܶ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܫܟܐ ݂ܘܒܣܪ ܐ ܐ�ܒ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܘܓ� ܶܡܐ ܰܫ ܰܪ ݁ܪܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܒ ݂ܓ ܳ� ݂ܕ ܐ ݂ܰ‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Yet, oh that there was a counselor 1 between us,



So He might remove His rod from me,



I will speak out and not fear Him,

who would place his hand over both of our mouths! 2

so dread of Him 3 might not terrify me. because I am not in opposition to Him.’

‘counselor’ or ‘admonisher’. Compare with Job 32:12. ‘both of our mouths’: lit. ‘over the mouth of the two’. 3 ‘dread of Him’: lit. ‘His fear’. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܶ ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܐ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ܳܣ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ܬܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܫܬ ݂ܘܦ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܝܕܗ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܢܣܝܡ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܬ ܰܪܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܠܕ ܘ ܰܢ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܰܫ ݂ܒܛܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܕ ݂‬ ‫ܚܠܬܗ � ݂ܬܙܺܝܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܗ ܐ ܰܡܠܠ ܘ� ܐ݂ܕ ܰܚܠ ܶܡܢܶܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܺ‬ ‫ܠܩ ݂ܘܒܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



“It is one.”

Therefore I have said, “Both the righteous and the wicked, it is He who puts to an end!”



If His rod kills suddenly,



As for the earth, He has delivered it into the hand of the wicked;

then He mocks the stupidity of the innocent. the faces of judges are covered.

But as for His wrath, who can endure it?



My days have sped by swifter than a runner;



They slipped by with many of the enemies’ ships,



With my bitterness 1 I have forgotten my complaints;



If I am at rest, I fear every torment,

   

they fled away and have not seen good. as an eagle that hovers over its prey.

if I abandon my thought or my words, I should be distressed.

because I know that You shall not acquit me.

Surely, if I am declared guilty, why do You destroy me as something trivial? If I wash myself in the waters of the snow,

and cleanse myself with the purity of my hands, 2

then You would plunge me into the Pit, and my clothes would be stripped from me. For He is not a man like me that I can answer Him, 3 that we can enter into judgment together.

‘bitterness’: lit. ‘bitternesses’ (pl.). ‘the purity of my hands’. According to Išoʿdād, a symbolic washing to show oneself innocent (Schliebitz 1907, 29). Also see interpretation in Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 194). 3 ‘I can answer Him’: lit. ‘I would give him word’. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܟܒ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܺ ̱ܗܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܝܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܪ ݂ܬ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܕ ܰ‬ ‫�ܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܝ ̈ ܶܩܐ ܰܘ� ܰ� ܺܫܝܥ ܶܐ ܽܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܣ ݂ܝܦ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܠܝ ܳܩܛܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܓ ܐܢ ܰܫ ݂ܒܛܗ ܶܡܢ ܶܫ ̱‬ ‫ܛܝ ݂ܘܬ ܰܙ ݁ ܳܟ ܺ̈ܝܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ܳܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܡ ܶܝܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܪ ܺܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘܐ ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ܕ݂ ܰܕ ܳ�ܢ̈ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ݁ ̈ܦ ܳܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܐ ܳ� ܽܪܘܓ ܶܙܗ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ܡ ܰܣ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܪ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ ܰܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܗ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ܰܩܠ ̱ܘ ܡܢ ܪܗܛܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙܘ ܛ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܪܩ ̱ܘ‪ :‬ܘ�‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ̱ܘ ܥܰܡ ܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܶܦܐ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐ ݂ܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܥ ܶ� ݁ ̈ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ ܶܒܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܘܠܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ݁ܕܛܐܣ ܥܰܠ ܡܐ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܢ‬ ‫ܟܙ ܥܰܡ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܝ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܪ �ܝ ܛܥܺ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܶܐ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܝ‪ :‬ܐܘ ̈ܡܠ ܰܝ‪ܶ :‬ܡ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܥܺܝܩ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܒܘܩ ܪ ܺܢ ̱‬ ‫ܶ݁ ݁‬ ‫� ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܟܠ ݁ ܰܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܢܝܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܚ ܶܘܐܢ ܐܬܬ ܺ�ܝܚ‪ܳ ݁ :‬ܕ ܶܚ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܳܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܙ ݁ ܶܟܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕܝ ݂ܕܥ ܐ̱ܢܐ ݂ܕ�‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܟܛ ܳܗܐ ܶܐܢ ܶܐ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ܰܝ ݂ܒ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܶܗ ݂ܒ ܳ� ܺ‬ ‫ܡܣ ݂ܝܦ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ݁ ݁‬ ‫ܝܓ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ܳ ̈ܝܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܬ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܓܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܠ ܘܐܢ ܐܬܬ ܺܫ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘ ܶܡ ݁ܬ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܶܟܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܽܝ ݂ܘܬܐ ݂ ܺܕܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ ݁ܒ ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫� ܳܗ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܒܘܫ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܝ‪ .‬ܘܢܶ ݂ܬܪ ܰܚܩ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܨ ܐ ݁ܬܛ ݁ܒܥܰ ̱‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܠܒ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܐܟ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪ܶ ݁ :‬ܕ ݁ܐܬܠ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܽܥܘ ܰ� ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Surely, if He passes close by me, I cannot observe Him.



Surely, if He destroys, who has authority over Him? 1



God does not avert His wrath,



Yet, I also would answer Him,



If I am not justified, I shall not be answered;



If I call out, does He answer me?



For He has beaten me forcefully upon every hair of my head,



He has not left me alone so that I 2 might rest,



Whether in power, it is He who is mighty,



Even if I were innocent, my mouth would convict me;



I am blameless, and yet I do not comprehend;

And if He surrounds me, I cannot consider Him.

And who can say to Him, “What are You doing?” and the advisors of many shall be humiliated under Him. and I would marshal my words before Him! I would plead with my Judge!

I will not believe, until He listens to my voice!

and He has increased my injuries for no reason.

because He has filled me up with bitter things. or in judgment, who can confront Him?

I am blameless, yet He 3 declares me false. I loathe my life!

‘has authority over Him’: lit. ‘will order/command his hand’. ‘I’: lit. ‘my spirit’. 3 ‘He’ or ‘it’ (masc.); referent unclear, poss. ‘mouth’ (v. 20). 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܐܢ ܳܥ ݂ ܰܒܪ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪ܳ � :‬ܚ ܶܙ ܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܰ�ܝ‪ܶ � :‬ܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܢ ܡ ݂ܬܟܪ ݂ܟ ݂‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܶܐܢ ݁ ܳܬ ݂ ܰܒܪ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ܢܶ ݂ܦ ܽܩ ݂ܘܕ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝܕܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܽܢܘ ܺܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܥ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܶܙܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܠܗܐ � ܡܗܦ ݂ܟ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܡܥܰ ݁ܕ ܰ�ܝ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܽܚ ݂ܘܬ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ ܐ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܶܕܝܢ ܐܥܢܶܝ ̱‬ ‫ܶܘ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܣܕܘܪ ̈ܶܡܠ ܰܝ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܢ � ܐ ݁ ܰܙܕ݁ܕ ܶܩ ݂ܬ‪ � :‬ܐ ݂ܬܥܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܰܫ ݂ܦ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫�ܕ ܝ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܢ ܳܩ ܶܪ ܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪�ܳ :‬ܢܶܐ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ܳܫ ܰܡܥ ܳܩ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܢܬܐ ܕ ܺܪܝܫܝ ݁ܒ ܽܬ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܦܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܟܠ ܶܡ ݂ ݂ ̱ ݂‬ ‫ܡܚ ̱‬ ‫ܐܣܓܝ ܽܨ ̈ܘ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܦ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܳܓܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܰܩ ̱‬ ‫ܢܝ ݁ܕ ݂ܬ ݁ܬ ܺ�ܝܚ ܪ ̱‬ ‫ܳܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݁‬ ‫ܡܪ � ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܝ‬ ‫ܐܣܒܥܰ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܢ ݁ܒ ܰܚܝ�‪݁ :‬ܬ ܺܩ ݂ܝܦ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ܢܶܐܪܥܝ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܢ ܰܚ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܒ ̱‬ ‫ܐܢ ܐ ݁ ܶܙܟܐ‪݁ :‬ܦ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫݁ܬ ܺܡܝܡ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘܡܥܰ ܶܩܡ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ܬ ܺܡܝܡ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪ :‬ܘ� ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܝ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ ܰܐܣ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܰܚ ܰ ̈ܝܝ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

IV



Chapter  And Job answered:



‘Truthfully, I know this is so,



For if one would desire to bring a case 2 against Him,



He is wise in mind 4 and mighty in strength.



He who removes the mountains, does He not know? 5

    

and a human being is not innocent before God. 1

he could not answer Him once in a thousand times. 3 Who can resist Him and still be at peace?

Yet He overthrows them in His wrath —

He who shakes the earth from its foundations, and its inhabitants quake;

He who speaks to the sun and it does not rise, and He seals the paths of the stars;

He who alone extends the heavens, and He tramps upon the high waves 6 of the Sea;

He who made the Pleiades 7 and Aldebaran 8 and Orion, 9 and He encircled the South; He who made great things that are unending, and mighty things that are innumerable.

See Job 4:17. ‘bring a case’ or ‘judge’. See Introduction. 3 ‘once in a thousand times’: lit. ‘one from a thousand’. 4 ‘mind’: lit. ‘heart’. 5 ‘does He not know?’: punct. difference; LP and many MSS connect this with the following clause. 6 ‘high waves’: lit. ‘force’. 7 ‘Pleiades’ or ‘the Seven Sisters’. 8 ‘Aldebaran’ or ‘Alpha Tauri’. 9 ‘Orion’: lit. ‘hero’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܨܚ ܕ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫ܛ‪.‬‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܙ ݂ ܶܟܐ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܢܶ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܨܒܐ ݂ܶܓܝܪ ܰܠ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܕܢ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݂ܳ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܶܠ ݂ܦ � ܳ�ܢܶܐ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܚ ݁ ܺܟܝܡ ܶܠ ݁ ܰܒܐ ̱ܗܘ‪ :‬ܘܥܰ ܺܫܝܢ ܰܚܝ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܶܐ ݂ܬ ܰܩ ܺܫܝ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬܶܗ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܫܠܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܢܶܐ ܛܘ�ܝܢ‪ܳ � :‬ܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ܕ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܶܙܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗ ݂ܦ ݂ܟ �ܗܘܢ ݁ܒܪ ݂‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ̇ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܥ ܽܡܘ� ̇ܝܗ ܳܪܥܠܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ܕܐܙܝܥ ܐܪܥܐ ܡܢ ܫ�ܫܝܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܳܘ� ܕ ܰܢܚ‪̈ ܰ ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܰܗܘ ݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܬܡ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܘܒܐ ݁ܦܝ ݁ ܰܟ ̈ܘ ݁ܟ ݂ ܶܒܐ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܘܗܝ‪ܰ :‬ܘܕ ܰܪ ݂ܟ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܬ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܬܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܩܦܗ ݁ܕܝܰ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ܕ ݂‬ ‫�ܚ ݂ ܰ ̱ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܗܘ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܺܽ‬ ‫ܘܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܚܕܪ ݂‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ܟܝܡܐ‪ :‬ܘ�ܝ ݂ܘܬܐ‪݂ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܗܘ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ� ܳܣ ݂ܟ‪݂ :‬ܘܬ ܺܩ ̈ܝ ݂ ܳܦ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ� ܶܡ ܳܢܝܢ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



For while it is yet in its fruit, it is not plucked off,



Such are the paths of everyone who forgets God,



And his confidence will be cut down;



He will be confident in his house, yet it shall not stand;



He is like a watered plant 2 before the sun,

and it withers faster than any other grass. 1

and the hope of the godless one shall perish. his house is a spider’s house.

he will try to hold on to it, yet it will not stand firm.



and his roots will stand firm against the waves.



If one 3 uproots him from his place, it 4 cheats him;



Understand, it is He who scrutinizes all his ways,



God does not reject the blameless,



Until your mouth will be filled with laughter and your lips with praise,

He will look upon a house of stones.

it says to him, “I have not seen you.”

and from the dust another will sprout up. and He does not support 5 evildoers.

those who hate you will be clothed in shame,

and the tent of the wicked will exist no more.’

‘faster than any other grass’: lit. ‘before every grass’. ‘a watered plant’: lit. ‘moisture’. Syriac-speaking commentators generally interpret as a green plant, and this interpretation has been followed here. See Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 27); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 193). 3 ‘one’: lit. ‘he/it’ (masc.); referent unclear, poss. ‘God’. 4 ‘it’ (masc.): referent unclear, poss. ‘his place’. 5 ‘support’: lit. ‘grasp the hand of’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫݁ ܰ ܽ ܶ ݁ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܒܗ‪ܶ � :‬ܡ ݂ܬܩܛ ݂ܦ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܥ ݂ܕ ܗܘ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܡܝܪ ܝܳ ݂ ܶܒܫ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܐܢ ܶܝܢ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܟܠ ܰܡܢ ݁ܕܛܥ ܶܐ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܒ ܶܪܗ ݁ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܦܐ ܺܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܒ ݂ܕ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ܶܣܩ ݁ܬ ݂ܘܟ ܳ�ܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܒܝܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܓܘ ݂ܓܝ ܒ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪ :‬ܘ� ܽܢܩܘܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܶܟܠ ܥܠ ܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܣܢ‪ :‬ܘ� ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܩ ܰܝܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܚ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܶܪ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܛܒܐ ̱ܗܘ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܠ� ̈ܝܢ ܶܫ� ܰܫܘܗܝ ܢܶܣ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܺܟܐ ݂ ̈ܶܦܐ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ ܰܢܕ ݁ ܶܓܠ ݁ ܶܒܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ܢܶܥܩܪܝ ̱‬ ‫ܺ ܰ ܶ ݁ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܐܡܪ ܠܗ ܕ� ܚܙ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳܶ ܽ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܐ ܗܘܝܘ ݂ܒܨ ܐ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܨܡܚ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܬ ܺܡ ̈ܝ ܶܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫� ܰܡܣ� ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܫܢ̈ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐܚ ݂ܕ ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܰܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ̈ ܳ ܳ ݁ ܶ ݁ܽ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܟ ݁ ܽܓ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܡ� ݂ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܚܟܐ‪ :‬ܘܣ ݂ܦܘ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ ܬܫܒ‬ ‫݂ܥܕܡܐ ݂ܕܢ ݂ܬ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ̈ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܽ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܢܐܝܟ ܢ�ܒܫܘܢ ܒܗܬ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܫܟܢܐ ݂ܕ�ܫܝܥܐ ܠ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

     

Bildad the Shuhite replied:

Chapter 

‘How long will you speak these things? For your mouth has been filled with a proud spirit.

Does God distort justice? Or, does the Almighty distort that which is right? If your children sinned against Him, He has sent them forth in their sins. And if it is you who have sinned, 1 appeal to God and entreat the Almighty!

If you are pure and upright, even now He rouses Himself on your behalf, and He makes the dwelling of your righteousness perfect.



Your first will become small,



Inquire, I beg you, of the previous generations,



For we are of yesterday — we cannot understand —



and your last 2 He will make rather many.

and consider what their forefathers searched out. and our days upon the earth are as a shadow.

But understand, they 3 are the ones who can teach you and speak to you, and they shall bring out heartfelt words. 4



Can a marsh spread out in an arid land?

Or, can a rush 5 sprout up where there is no water?

‘if it is you who have sinned’: lit. ‘if it is you’. ‘last’ or poss. ‘progeny’. 3 ‘they’ (masc.): referent unclear, poss. ‘previous generations’ (v. 8), ‘forefathers’ (v. 8), or ‘days’ (v. 9). 4 ‘heartfelt words’: lit. ‘words from their heart’. 5 ‘rush’ or perhaps ‘cattail’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܚ‪.‬‬

‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܝܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ݂ܕ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܡ� ݂ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܬܐ‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ � ܰܡ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ݁ܬ ܰܡܠܠ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ‪ .‬ܘܪܘܚܐ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥܘܠ ݁ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‪ .‬ܐܘ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܡܐ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܘܠ ܙܶ ݂ܕ ܳܩܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܢ ݁ܒܢ̈ ݁ܝܟ ܚܛܘ ܶܠܗ‪ܰ :‬ܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ݁ ܰܒܚܛ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪݁ :‬ܒܥܺܝ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܰܫ ݂ܦ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܢ ܰܙ ݁ ܳܟܝ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܺܪܝܨ‪ܳ :‬ܗ ܳܫܐ ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܥܺܝܪ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰܢܫܠܡ ݁ ܰܕ ܳܝܪ ܐ ݂ܕܙܶ ݂ܕ ܳܩ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݂ܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܙܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܬܗܘܐ ܩ ݂ܕܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ݁ ܳ ܰ ݁ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܓܐ ܛ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐ̱ܚܪܝܬ ݂ܟ ܢ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܫܐܠ ܺܢܐ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܳܕ � ܐ ܰܩ ݂ܕ ܳܡ ̈ܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝܢ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܒ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܳܩܐ ݂ ܰܕܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܢܢ � ܝܳ ݂ܕܥܺܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܝ ݁ ܶܓܝܪ‬ ‫݁ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬ ܳܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶܽ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܛ�� ܐܢܘܢ ܝܘܡܝܢ ܥ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܢ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢ ݂ܟ‪ܺ :‬ܘܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܘܢ ܳܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܶܠ ݁ܒ ܽܗܘܢ ܰܢ ݁ܦ ܽܩܘܢ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡܐ ܳܣ ݂ܶܓܐ ܶܐ ݂ܓ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ܐܬ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܗ�ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܝܥܐ ܐܪܒܢܐ ܐܝܟܐ ݂ܕܠ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



For how long before You will not just leave me alone, 1



If I have sinned, what can I do to You, Creator of humankind?

nor let me be, till I have swallowed my spit?

Why have You arranged for me to encounter You? You have become then a burden upon me.



How long will You not forgive my guilt 2 and pass by my sins? For now I shall lie down upon the dust.

You shall seek me, but I shall not exist.’

‘before You will not just leave me alone’: lit. ‘will You not depart from me’. 2 ‘guilt’: lit. ‘guilts’ (pl.). 1



‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܰܡܐ ̱ܗܘ � ܰܡ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ � ܳܫ ݂ ܶܒܩ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܐܒܠܥ ܪ ̱‬ ‫� ݂ܬ ݁ܪܦ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪ܳ :‬ܡ ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ܳܥ ݂ ܽܒ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܕܗ ݁ܕܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ܚܛ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬ ̱ܢܝ‪ܶ ݁ :‬ܕ ݂ܐܦ ݁ ܰܓܥ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܡܢܐ ܣ‬ ‫ܗܘ ݁ܝܬ ܥܠ ܰܝ ܰܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܰ ݂ܕ ݁ܟ ܳܡܐ ܳ� ݂ܬܶ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܬ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܚܛ ̈ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܒܘܩ ܠ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ݁ ܰܒܝ‪݂ :‬‬ ‫݁ܕ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܥܰܠ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܐ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܢܝ ܘܠ‬ ‫݂ܘܬ ݂ܒܥ ܶ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



As a cloud disperses and goes away, so the one who goes down to Sheol 1 no longer ascends.



And he no longer returns to his house,



I, therefore, will not restrain my mouth;

and he no longer recognizes his home. I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit,

and I will recite it over again 2 in the bitterness 3 of my soul.

   

Am I the Sea or the sea monster 4 that You set guards against me?

For I said, “May You comfort me!

May I be relieved from the agony of my sickbed!”

Surely, You frightened me with dreams, and You terrified me with visions;

You scrutinized my soul even from annihilation, 5 and my bones from death.



My life is cut off 6 — not that I’ll live forever!



What is a human being that You would destroy him,



You would command in the morning,

Let me be, because my days are but a vapor! and You would set Your heart upon him; 7

and You would examine him in due course?

‘Sheol’ or ‘the Underworld’. See also Genesis 37:35; Psalm 6:5; and Psalm 49:14. ‘recite it over again’: lit. ‘will repeat’. 3 ‘bitterness’: lit. ‘bitternesses’ (pl.). 4 ‘sea monster’ or perhaps ‘whale’. Also in Psalm 74:13; Isaiah 27:1; and Isaiah 51:9. For a variety of interpretations, see Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 25); and Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 193). 5 ‘annihilation’ or ‘ʾAbaddon’ (‘place of destruction’). Also in Job 20:23; 26:6; 28:22; 31:12; 33:18. 6 ‘my life is cut off’: lit. ‘it (fem.) is cut off to me’. 7 ‘set Your heart upon him’: compare with Psalm 8:5. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܕ ܳܣ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܥ� ܳܢܐ‪ܳ :‬ܘ ܳܐܙ ̱�‪ܳ .‬ܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܰܡܢ ݁ܕ ܳܢ ܶܚ ݂ܬ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ‪ܳ � :‬ܣܠܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܗ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܟ ݁ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܠ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ܰ ܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܥ ݁ܬ ݂ܘܒ � ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܡܫܬ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳܐ ݂ܦ ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ܳ� ܶܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܣ ݂ܘܟ ݁ܦ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ܰܡܠܠ ݁ܒ ܳܥ ܰܩ ݂ܬ ܪ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܪ � ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܬ�ܐ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܰ ܳܡܐ ܐ ܳܢܐ‪ܰ :‬ܐܘ ݁ܬ ܺ� ܳܝܢܐ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܩܝܡ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܥܠ ܰܝ ܳܢܛܘ� ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܝ ̱‬ ‫ܶܘܐܬ ܰܠ ݁ ܰܒܒ ܶܡܢ ܛܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ݂ ܳܦܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟ ݂ܒ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ ܰܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܥܬ ̱ܢܝ ݁ܒ ܶܚ� ̈ܡܝܢ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ݂ܒ ܶܚ ̈ܙ ܳܘ ܺܢܝܢ ܐ ݂ܒܥ ܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܐ ܙ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܓ�ܡܝ ܡܢ ܡܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܒ ܰܚܪܬ ܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ ܡܢ ܐ ݂ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܢܐ‪݂ :‬‬ ‫ܬ ܺܠܝ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܩܛܥܰ ݂ ݀‬ ‫�ܥܠ ܰܡ ܰܚܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪ܶ :‬ܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܶܗ ݂ܒ� ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܦ ܽܪܘܩ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܡ ܰܢܘ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ݁ܘܒ ݂ ܺܕܝ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܺܣܝܡ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫݂ܘܬ ݂ܦ ܽܩ ݂ܘܕ ݁ܒ ܰܨ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܒܚܪܝ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘Surely there is a season for a human being upon the earth,



For as a servant who yearns for the shade,



even so, I have inherited idle months, 1



And if I lay down, I asked, “When will I get up?”



My flesh is clothed with maggots and my body with dirt,



and one’s days are as the days of a day-laborer.

and as a day-laborer who yearns to complete his work, and nights of labor were not credited to my account! 2 Then the evening would drag on, 3 and I would recline and toss and turn 4 until dawn.

my skin bristled and rotted.

My days passed by quicker than the threads snipped off in the weaving loom, 5 and they perished because there was no hope.



Recall that the spirit lives,



The eye that sees 6 me will no longer behold me;

and my eye will return to see prosperity.

Your eyes are upon me — I am nothing!

‘idle months’: lit. ‘months of vanity’. 2 ‘credited to my account’: lit. ‘counted to me’. 3 ‘the evening would drag on’: lit. ‘I measure out the evening’. 4 ‘toss and turn’: lit. ‘I am disturbed/restless’. 5 ‘snipped off in the weaving loom’: lit. ‘the cutting off of the weaver’s loom’. 6 ‘sees’: LP and many MSS have instead ‘rejoice’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫ܙ‪.‬‬

‫ܳܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ �̱ܢܫܐ ܥ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܰܝܘ ܰܡܝ ܐ ݂ܺܓܝܪ ܐ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܝܘ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܣ ݁ ܶܟܐ ܠܛ ܳ��‪:‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܰܐ ܺܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܣ ݁ ܶܟܐ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܳ� ܽܡܘ ݂ ܰܦܥܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ ݂‬ ‫ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܝ ܶ ݁ܪܬܶ ݂ܬ ܺܠܝ ܰܝ� ܶܚܐ ܣ ܺ� ܶ‬ ‫ܝܩܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡ� ܳ� ܶܐ ݂ܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܢܝܘ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ�ܝ�ܘ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕܥ‬ ‫ܽܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰܶ‬ ‫ܘܐܢ ܫ ݂ܟܒ ݂ܬ ܘܐܡܪ ݂ܬ ܐܡ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܐܩܘܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰܫܚ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫�ܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫ ݂ ܶܟ ݂ܒ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪ܳ .‬ܘܢܐ݂ܶܕ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܫ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫݂ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫܡܝ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓ‬ ‫ܠܒܫ ݁ ܶܒܣܪ ̱ܝ ܪ ݂‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܡܬܐ‪݂ ܽ :‬‬ ‫ܫܟܝ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܦ ݂ܘܕ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܣܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡ ݁ ̱‬

‫ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ܰܩܠ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ܓ ݂ ܳܕ݂ܕ ܩ ܺܘܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܦ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܕ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܣ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ݇ܟܪ ݁ܕ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ ̱ܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܶ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܛ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܢܝ ܠܡ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܘܟ ܥܰ ̱‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫� ݂ܬܚ ܶܙ ܐ ܺܠܝ ܥܰ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ܕ ܳܚ ܳܙ�ܐ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ̈� ܰܢ ݁ܝܟ ݁ ܺܒܝ‪ :‬ܘܠ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Is there iniquity in my tongue?

Or does my mouth not speak the truth?’



‫‪ ‬ܠ‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܥܰܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܡܐ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܒ� ܳܫ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܝ � ܡܡܠܠ ܩܘ‬ ‫ܐܘ ݁ܦ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



And so, you all 1 have turned against me,



If only I had said to you, “Give it to me!”



“Preserve me from the hands of my oppressor!”



Teach me and I will be quiet;



Why are you driving away the message of truth?



Surely, you yet think of ways to correct words,



Surely, you are behaving arrogantly against the orphan,



Now be persuaded — pay attention 4 —



Return now, please,

because before you saw the terror you were afraid.

or “Pay a bribe for me from your wealth!” 2

or “Rescue me from the hand of the Almighty!” explain to me how I have erred!

Who among you can correct and admonish?

and you yet misunderstand 3 the spirit of my word. and you are causing your friend to despair.

so I might speak before you, and I shall not lie.

so you do not become like the perverse; return, therefore, and be justified!

‘you all’: the word ‘you’ in this and the following verses is plural. ‘wealth’: lit. ‘wealths’ (pl). 3 ‘misunderstand’: lit. ‘understand against.’ LP and many MSS read ‘you interpret my word against my spirit’; so Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 192). See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 4 ‘pay attention’: lit. ‘and look’. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܗܘܝ ݁ܬܘܢ ܥܠ ܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܐ ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ܰ ܳ ݁ ܶ ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܠܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕܥ ݂ܕ� ܚܙܝܬܘܢ ܙܘܥܐ‪ :‬ܕܚ‬ ‫ܟܒ ܶܐ ܽܠܘ ܶܓܝܪ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܪ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܟܘܢ ܰܗ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܺܠܝ‪:‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܶܡܢ ܢܶ ݂ܟ ܰܣ ̈� ݁ܟܘܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܚܘ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܚ� ݂ܦܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ܶܡܢ ܺܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕܝ ܡܥܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܩ ̱‬ ‫ܟܓ ܘ ݂ܦܠܛ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ܦ ܰܨ ܐ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܰܐ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܬܘܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ܘܐܢܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܠܦ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ܛܥܺ ݂‬ ‫ܝܬ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܒ ܽܝܢ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ݁ܽ ܺ ܰ ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܗ ܠܡܢܐ ݂ܕܚܩܝܢ ܐܢ̱ܬܘܢ ܡܐܡܪ ܩ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܛ‬

‫ܘܡ ݁ ܶܟܣ ܶܡ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܟ ܶܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰܠ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܟ ܳܘ ܽܢܘ ܶܡ ܺ� ̈ܝܢ ݁ܬܶ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܒܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܥܰܠ ܽܪܘܚ ܶܡܠ ܰ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ݁ܬ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܽܝܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܒܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܐ ܥܠ ܝ ݂ܬܡܐ ܡ ݂ܬܪܘ ݂‬ ‫�ܪ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܟ ܶܪܝܢ ܰܐܢ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܶܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܛܦܝܣ ̱ܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚܘܪ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ ܐ ܰܡܠܠ ܘ� ܐ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕܡ‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫݁ܬܘ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܺܢܐ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘܢ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰ� ̈ܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ݂ܬ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫݁ܬܘ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܳܗ ݂ ܺܟܝܠ‪ :‬ܘ ܰܙ ݁ ܰܟܘ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



He would once again be my consolation,

and I would once again be perfected in unsparing strength, because I have not denied the word of the Holy One.

   

And how much strength do I have, that I might endure? And what is my end, that I might be patient?

If only my strength were the strength of stones — or my flesh, of bronze! Surely, His help is not with me,

and His salvation is far away from me.

He who keeps back peace from his companion rejects the fear of the Most High.



My brothers have proved deceitful like intermittent pools, 1



For those who were afraid of ice, upon them snow is abundant.

and like streams that overflow. 2



In the moment when the sun shines 3 upon them, they melt,



The paths of their ways will become confused,



For they have watched the roads of the South, 4



They were ashamed of whatever they had trusted in;

and by means of their heat, they melt from their place. and they will go up into the wasteland and perish.

and they themselves have waited expectantly for the paths of Sheba. 5 they arrived there 6 and were shamed.

‘intermittent pools’: Syr. identified with pools or streams that contain water during only part of the year. See Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 192). 2 ‘overflow’: lit. ‘pass by’. 3 ‘when the sun shines’: lit. ‘when rises’. 4 ‘South’ or place name ‘Teman’. See Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 23); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 192). 5 ‘of Sheba’ or, lit. ‘which he captured’. 6 ‘arrived there’: lit. ‘arrived towards/before it’ (masc.). 1



‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫ܘܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ݂ ܽܬ ݂ܘܒ ݁ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ̱ܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܡ� ݂ ܽܬ ݂ܘܒ ݁ܒ ܰܚ ܳܝ� ݂ܕ ܳ� ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܐܫܬ‬ ‫ܘܣܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ� ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܓܠ ܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܒ ܺܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܗ ݁ܕ ܰܩ ݁ ܺܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܠܝ ݁ ܶܕܐ ܰܣ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܟ ܰܡܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܚ ̱‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ܗܝ ܰܚܪܬܝ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܓܪ ܪ ̱‬ ‫݂ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ̱‬ ‫̈ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܠܝ‪ :‬ܐܘ ݁ ܶܒܣܪ ̱ܝ ݁ ܰܕ ܳܢܚ ܰܫܐ ̱ܗܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ܽܠܘ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܚܝ� ̱ܗܘ ݁ܕ ݂ ܺܟܐ ݂ܦܐ ܰܚ ̱‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ ܽܥ ݂ܘܕ ܳܪ ܢܶܗ ݁ ܺܒܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܦ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܘܪܩܢܶܗ ܐ ݂ܬܪ ܰܚܩ ܶܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫݁ܕ ݂ ܳܟ ܶ� ܳ‬ ‫ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܚ ݂ܒ ܶܪܗ‪ܶ ݁ :‬ܕܚܠ ݂ܬܗ ݁ܕܥ ܶ ܳ� ܳܝܐ ܳܫ ݂ ܶܒܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐ ܰ ̈ܚܝ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܶܓܠ ̱ܘ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܦ ܺܨ ̈ܝ ݂ ܶܕ ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ � ݂ܓܠ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܳܥ ݂ܒ ܳ�ܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫݁ܕ݂ ܳܕܚܠ ܺܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ܓܠ ܺ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܓܝ ݂ ܰܬ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܓܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ‪ :‬ܥܠܝܗܘܢ ܺ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܳܕ ܰܢܚ ݁ܒ ܽܗܘܢ‪ܳ ݁ :‬ܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܪܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܒܫ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܗܘܢ ݁ ܳܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܽܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܪܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ܬܪ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܫܒ ̈�� ݂ ܽܕܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܢܶ ݂ܬܥܰܪܩܠܘܢ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ ܺܘܢ ݂ܐܒ ݁ ܽܕܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܣܩܘܢ ܒ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܕܚܪ ̱ܘ �ܘ�ܚ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܒܐ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܟܝܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܒ ̈� ܶ� ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܒ ܶܗ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܶܕܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܶܟܠ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܘܬܶܗ ܰܘ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܚܦܪ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܛܘ ܳ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

III



Chapter  And Job answered:



‘Oh that my rage could be weighed,



For it 1 is now heavier than the sand of the seas;



For the arrows of the Almighty are in my flesh,

and whatever has occurred to me be all at once on the balance scale! therefore, my answers are held back.

and their anger is drink for my spirit, and God’s terror has frightened me.

  

Does the wild ass 2 bray over the grass, or the ox bellow over the fodder? Or can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt? Or is there taste in the nectar of a thistle? 3

My soul is weary of its fight — or else my battle moans out, as if a drunkard!



Who would grant that my appeal will come,



May God be persuaded to purify me, 4

and God would grant my hope?

and may He extend His hand to perfect me! 5

‘it’ (masc.): poss. ‘rage’ (v. 2). ‘wild ass’: Syr. identified with the onager (equus hemionus), but Išoʿdād interprets more generally (Schliebitz 1907, 21). 3 ‘thistle’: Syr. generally identified with the anchusa plant or ox tongue (helminthia), but see Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 21); Bar ʿEbroyo (Bernstein 1858, 191). 4 ‘be persuaded to purify me’: lit. ‘be persuaded and He would purify me’. 5 ‘to perfect me’: lit. ‘and he would perfect me’. Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 21). 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܨܚ ܓ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫ܘ‪.‬‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ ݁ ݁ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓܙ ̱ܝ‪:‬‬ ‫�ܘܝ ݁ܕܝܢ ܡܬܬܩܠ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘ ̱ܢܝ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ܰܣ ݂ܐܬܐ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܶܡܢ ܳܚ ܳ� ݂ܕܝܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܫܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ̈ܡܝ ݁ܟܠܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܶܒܣܪ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ݂ܶܓܐ � ̱‬ ‫ܘܚ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ ܳܫ ݂ܬ ܳ�ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܚܝ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܪ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒܥ ܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܶܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܣ ܶܪ݂ܕ ݁ܬ ̱ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܪ ܳܕ ܐ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܬܕ ܳܐܐ‪ܰ :‬ܐܘ ݁ ܳܓܥ ܶܐ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܥܰܠ ܰܚ ܺܡ ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܡܣ ܶܘܩ ܳ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ ܶܟܠ ݁ ܰܦ ݁ ܺܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܗܐ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܶܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܡ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ̇ ݁ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܛܥܡܐ ݂ܒܪܝܪܗ ܕܚܠ ݂‬ ‫ܐܘ ܐ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܰܐܢ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܬ ܳܫ ̇ܗ‪ܰ :‬ܐܘ ܰܡܝܠ ܶܠ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܳܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܩ ܳܪ ݂ܒ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ ܒܡ ݂ܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܶ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܬܠ ܺܠܝ‪݁ :‬ܕ ݂ ܺܬ ݂ܐܬܶܐ ܶܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܢܘ ܢ‬ ‫ܐܠ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܒܪ ̱ܝ ܢܶ ݁ܬ� ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܛܦܝܣ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܘ ݂ ܰܢܕ ݁ ܶܟܝ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ݂ܦ ܽܪܘܣ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܕܗ ܰܘ ܰܢܫܡܠ ̱‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

And you will enter quietly to the grave, as the stacking of the sheaves of wheat in its season. This we have searched out, and thus we have heard it.

And, as for you, understand it for your own sake!’



‫‪ ‬ܟܘ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܙ‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ ܳܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‬ ‫݂ܘܬ ܽܥܘܠ ܢ‬ ‫ܝܚܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ݂ܒ ܰܨܝܢ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܘܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܰܢܐ‬ ‫ܰܘܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܕܥ ܳܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬

‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܩ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܰ :‬ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܡ ܰܣܩ ݁ܓ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ݂ܒ ܰܙ ݂ܒܢܶܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳ‬ ‫̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܢ ̇ܗ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

  

By day, they will grope about as in the dark;

they will fumble about at noon as in the night.

He saves their mouth from the sword 1 and the needy from the hand of the mighty.

So there will be hope for the needy, and the perverse will shut his mouth.



Blessed is the man whom God may reprove,



For He breaks apart, yet binds up; He wounds, yet His hands heal.

so let him not scorn the discipline of the Almighty!



In six troubles He will save you,



during famine, He will save you from death;



so you will be shielded from the blow 3 of the tongue;



you will laugh at pillage and famine;



For your covenant 5 is with the stones of the desert,



And you will know that your tent is secure, 6



And you will know that your offspring 7 are great;

and in the seventh, evil will not draw near to you: and in battle, from the might 2 of the sword;

and you will not fear destruction 4 when it comes; and you will not fear the wild animal of the field.

and the wild animal of the field will surrender to you.

and you will return to your home, and you will not sin. your progeny, as the grass of the earth.

‘their mouth from the sword’. LP and many MSS read ‘from the sword from their mouth’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 2 ‘might’: lit. ‘hands’. 3 ‘blow’, ‘scourge’, or ‘staff’ (used for punishment)’. See also Job 9:34. 4 ‘destruction’, ‘misfortune’, or ‘ruin’. See also Job 18:12; 21:17; 21:30; and 31:3. 5 ‘covenant’ or ‘standing’. 6 ‘tent is secure’: lit. ‘peace is (in) your tent’. 7 ‘offspring’: lit. ‘seed’. 1



‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܫܓ ܽܫܘܢ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܓ ݁‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܕ ݁ܒܐܝܡܡܐ ܰ ݂‬ ‫ܘܫܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰܛ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܽܢܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܒܠ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫ܪܒܐ ݂ ܽܦ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܺܫ ܳܝܢܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܗܘܢ‪ܶ :‬‬ ‫ܝܗ ݁ ܳܦ ܶܪܩ ܶܡܢ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡܣ ݁ ܺܟ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܟ ܳܢܐ ܰܣ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪ .‬ܘܥܰ ܳܘ� ܢܶ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܡ ݁ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܟܘܪ ݁ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܘ ܘܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܒܘܗܝ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܢ ݁ܟ ܺܣܝ ̱‬ ‫ܝܙ ܛ ݂ ܰ ̱‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ‬ ‫ܪܕ ݂ܘܬܗ ݁ܕ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ � ܰܢܣ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܽܗܘ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰܒܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܨܶ ݂ܒ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܡܐ ̈ܣ ܳܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ܶܚܐ ܺܘܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܛ ݁ܒ ܶܫ ݂ܬ ܳܥ ̈ܩܢ ܢܶ ݂ܦܪ ܳܩ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܒܥ ܳ� ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ܘܒ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟ ݁ܒ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܦ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ݂ܦܪ ܳܩ ݂ܟ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ ܶܡܢ ܺܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕܝ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܬ ݁ܬܪ‪:‬‬ ‫ܟܐ ܘܡܢ ܫ ݂ܒܛܐ ݂ܕܠܫܢܐ ݂ܬ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ݂ܬ݂ܕ ܰܚܠ ܶܡܢ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܺܢ ݂ܐܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܒ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ܙܬܐ ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܦ ܳܢܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܓ ܰܚ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܚ ܽܝܘ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܳܪ ܐ � ݂ܬ݂ܕ ܰܚܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܺ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܐܦܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܝ ܳܡ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܓ ܡܛܠ ܕܥܡ ܟ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܡ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܘܚܝܘ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܕ ݂ܘܬܶ ݁ ܰܕܥ ݁ ܰܕܫܠ ܳܡ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟ ܳܢ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܬܶ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܘܟ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܝܪ ݂ܟ‪ :‬ܘ� ݂ܬܚܛܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ܣܓܝ ܰܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܗ ݂ܘܬܶ ݁ ܰܕܥ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܺ‬ ‫ܪܥ ݂ܟ‪:‬‬ ‫ܣܒܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫�ܕ ݂ܟ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܥ ܶ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܝ ܰ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



‘Call out, please, if there is anyone who can respond to you!



Because anger slays the fool, and indignation kills the simple.

To whom of the holy ones will you turn?



I myself have seen a wicked person prospering —



His children will be far from safety; 1



The hungry person will consume that which he harvests,

but his home is destroyed in a moment.

they will be humiliated in the gate, and there is no one to save them. and they 2 will be poured out to the thirsty person; the thirsty one will demolish their possession.



For deception does not rise out of the dust,



For a person is born for drudgery;



But I, I would pursue after God,



who has done great things without end and marvels without number;

   

neither does iniquity sprout from the soil. and a bird’s chicks, to raise the wing. and I would direct my word towards God —

who provides rain upon the earth, and sends out water upon the streets, to establish the lowly upon the height so the humble will be strengthened in safety, thwarting the intentions of the wise so their hands will not achieve wisdom.

He captures the wise by their wisdom, and He thwarts the plan of the cunning. ‘safety’ or ‘salvation’. 2 ‘they’ (masc.): referent unclear. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫ܗ‪.‬‬

‫ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܕ ܳ�ܢܶܐ ܳܠ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܪܝ ܺܢܐ ܐܢ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܡܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܩ ݁ ܺܕ ܝ ̈ ܶܫܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܬ ݁ܦܢܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܣ ݂ܟ� ܳܩܛ� ܶܩܢܶ ݂ܐܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓܙ ܐ‪ :‬ܘ‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕܠܣ ݂ܟ� ܩܛܠ ܪ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܥܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܪ ܺܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܠܚ‪:‬‬ ‫ܐ ܳܢܐ ܚ ܺܙ ݂‬ ‫ܳܘ ݂ܐܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܪܗ ܶܡܢ ܶܫ ̱‬ ‫ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܪ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܩܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܩ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ݁ ܽ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܦ ܶܪܩ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݁‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢ ݂ܬܡܟ ݂ܟܘܢ ܒ ݂‬ ‫݁ܕ ܳܚܨܶ ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܦ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ݂ ܽܐܟܘܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗ�ܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܢ ݁ ܽ‬ ‫�ܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܟܘܢ‪.‬‬

‫ܗ�ܐ ܶܩ ܳܢܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܓ ܶܪܣ ܰܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܰ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܳܢ ݂ ܶܦܩ ܶܡܢ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܪ ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ� ܶܡܢ ܐ݂ ܰܕܡ ݂ܬܐ ܳܨ ܰܡܚ ܥܰܘ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ �ܥܰܡ� ̱ܗܘ ܐ ݂ܬܝܠ ݂ܕ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦܐ ܺܢܪ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܡܘܢ ݁ ܶܓ ݁ ܳܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܐܥܰ ܶܩ ݂ܒ ܥܰ� ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܐ ܺܣܝܡ ܶܡܠ ܰ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ� ܳܣ ݂ܟ‪݂ :‬ܘܬ݂ܕܡ ܳ� ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ� ܶܡ ܳܢܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܳܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫� ݁ ܰ ̈ܦܝ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܝܗ ݂ܒ ܡܛܪ ܐ ܥ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘܡ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ ܥܰ� ݁ ̈ܦܝ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܶܩܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܢܘܢ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܣܡ ܰܫ ݂ ̈ܦ ܶ� ݂ܒ ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ݁ ܺܟ ̈ܝ ݂ ܶܟܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬܥܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܩ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܺܟ ̈ܝ ܶܡܐ‪݁ :‬ܕ ܳ� ܢܶ ݁ ̈‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ ܳܕܢ ܺܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܚ ݂ܟ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡ ݂ ܰܒܛܠ ܡܚܫ ݂ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܒܛܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ݂ܕܨ ܢܘܥ ݂ܬܢܐ ݂‬ ‫ܐ ܶܚ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܺܟ ̈ܝ ܶܡܐ ݂ܒ ܶܚ ݂ܟ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪݂ .‬ܘܬܪܥ ݂‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



Suddenly, 1 in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon humankind,



fear befell me, also trembling,



It 2 made a spirit to pass before my face,



I stood up, but I could not comprehend.

so that many of my bones were shaken. so the hair on my flesh bristled.

And there was no image before my eyes,

yet I heard a sound and a voice, which said,

 



“Can a person be more just than God? 3 Or can a man be more pure than 4 his Creator?” Look, He puts no faith in His own servants,

and He could instill a sense of astonishment into His own angels! 5

Even those who live in houses of clay, which are completed in the dust, shall be humbled before the dark cloud.



From dawn to dusk they shall be brought low,



Look, He has removed their abundance 6 from them,

so they shall not be established as tenants forever, and they shall perish. and the remainder 7 of them will die — and not in wisdom!’

‘suddenly’ or ‘in quietness’. ‘it’ (masc.); poss. ‘vision’ (v. 13) or ‘God’ (v. 9). 3 ‘be more just than’: perhaps ‘be just before’. See also Job 32:2. 4 ‘more pure than’: perhaps ‘be pure before’. 5 ‘angels’ or ‘messengers’. 6 ‘abundance’: LP and many MSS have ‘inheritance’. See Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 7 ‘the remainder’: lit. ‘their remainder’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫�ܝܐ‪݁ :‬ܒ ܰܡ ݁ ܰܦܠ ܶܫ ܳܢܐ ܥܰ ܺܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ݂ܒ ܶܚ ܳܙܘܐ ݂ܕ ܺܠ ܳ‬ ‫݁ܒ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܩܐ ܥܰ ̱‬ ‫݁ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ܩܪ ݂ܬ ̱ܢܝ ܘܙ ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܰܓ� ܰܡܝ ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܙܺܝܥ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫� ݁ ܰ ̈ܦܝ ܰܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܘܚܐ ܥ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܙܕ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܦ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܶܘ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܣܥܰ ݂ܪܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܒܣܪ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬ ݁ܘܕܥ ܶ ݂ܬ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܩ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܘ� ܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݁‬ ‫ܚܙ ݂ ܳܬܐ ܽܠ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܒܠ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܳ� ܶܫܡܥ ܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܳܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܢܥ ݂‬ ‫ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܢܶ ݁ ܰܙܕ ݁ ܰܕܩ‪ܰ .‬ܐܘ ܶܡܢ ܳܥ ݂ ܽܒ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܕܗ ܶܡ ݁ܬ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܶܟܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܡܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ݂ܒܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܕ ̱‬ ‫ܢܣܝܡ ݁ܬܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܰܟ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ̈ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܫ ݂ܟܠܝܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܦ ܐܝܠܝܢ ܕܫܪܝܢ ܒ ݂ܒܬܐ ܕܛܝܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒܥ ݂ܦܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ݁ܶܳ‬ ‫ܪܦ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܥ‬ ‫ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ݂‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܰܨ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ܟ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܡܘܢ ܳܥ ܽܡܘ ܺ�ܝܢ ܳ‬ ‫݁ܕ ܳ� ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܺܣ ܽ‬ ‫�ܥܠܰܡ‪ܺ :‬ܘܢ ݂ܐܒ ݁ ܽܕܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܩܠ ܽܝ ݂ܘܬ ܳܪ ܽܢܗܘܢ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܫ ݁ܪܟ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ܒ ܽܗܘܢ ܽܢܡ ݂ܘܬܘܢ ܘ� ݂ܒ ܶܚ ݂ܟܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



Eliphaz the Temanite replied:



‘If I attempt to speak with you, will you be wearied?



Look, you have admonished many.



Would not your words raise the weak? 1



For now it 2 has come upon you, and you are exhausted!



As for your fear, it is your rebuke,



Remember, please, who though innocent has perished?



Yet who is able to hold back words from you? You would strengthen hands that are feeble.

You would strengthen the unsteady knees. It has touched you, and you are troubled.

and your hope, and the integrity of your way.

And where is the upright one who is shamed?

In keeping with what I have seen, those who plow in sin and sow drudgery will reap it. 3



By the breath of God they will perish;



The roar of the lion and the yelp of the lion’s cub,



The lion perished because it had no more prey;



by the blast 4 of His anger they will come to an end. the teeth of the lioness have been broken.

the cubs of the lioness have been scattered.

A response was answered against me, and my ear took in just a little of it.

‘Would not your words raise the weak’ can also be taken as a statement: ‘your words will not raise the weak!’ 2 ‘it’ (fem.): perhaps ‘fear’ (Job 3:25, 4:6). 3 ‘will reap it’: punct. difference; LP and many MSS read ‘those who plow in sin and sow, they will reap drudgery.’ 4 ‘blast’, ‘wind’, or ‘spirit’. 1



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܥܢܐ ܶܐ ܺܠ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܦܙ ݁ ܰܬܝܡ ܳ� ܳܝܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܠܘ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ‪݁ :‬ܬ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ܐܩ ݂ܦ ܠ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ݂ܟ� ܶܡ ܺ� ̈ܝܢ ܶܡ ܳܢ ݂ܟ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ݂ ܰܪܕ ݁ܝܬ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܺܘܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ�ܐ ݂ ܰܕܡ ܰ� ݁ܦ ܳܝܢ ݁ܬ ܰܚ ܶܝܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܗܐ ܳ� ܺܢܩ ܽ‬ ‫݁ܟ ܺ� ܶ‬ ‫ܝܡܘܢ ܶܡ ܰ� ̈ܝ ݁ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫݂ܽ‬ ‫ܘܒܘ� ݁ ܶܟܐ ܳ�ܥܠ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ܶܝܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܬ ݀ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ܝܟ ܰܘ�ܝ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ ܳܬ ݂ܟ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܛ ݂ ݀‬ ‫�ܗ ݁ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬ ݂ܟ ܺܗܝ ̱ܗܝ ܥ ܶ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܳܝ ݂ܟ‪:‬‬ ‫ܗܐ ݂ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ݂ܟ‪݂ :‬ܘܬ ܺܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡ ݂ܘܬ ܐ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܚ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ݇ܟܪ ܺܢܐ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܙ ݁ ܳܟ ܳܝܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݁ ܰܐܒ ݂ܕ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝܟܘ ݁ܬ ܺܪ ܳܝܨ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܶܗ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙ ݁ܝܬ ݁ܕ ܳܪ ݂ ܶܕܝܢ ݁ ܰܒܚܛܐ‪ܳ :‬ܘܙܪܥܺܝܢ ܥܰܡ�‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܡܬܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܺܢ ݂ܐܒ ݁ ܽܕܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܢܫ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܽܪ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܣ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܦܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓ ܶܙܗ ܽ ݂‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ݂ܕܪ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪ�ܐ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܘܪ�ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܳ� ݂ܕ ܽ ݂ܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪ�ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܢܗܡ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ̈ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܪܝ ݂ܘܬܐ ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܰܒ� ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܫܢܐ ݂ܕ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳܪ�ܐ ܶܐ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܕ ܶܡܢ ݁ܒܠ ܰܝ ݁ܕ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ ܶܠܗ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܽܪܝ ݂ܘܬܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ݁ ܰܕܪ ̱ܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ݁ ܰ ݀ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܬ ܐ݂ܕܢ ̱ܝ‬ ‫ܰܘܥܠܝ ݁ܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ܺܓ ݂ܝܒ‪ .‬ܘܩܒܠ ݂‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‪.‬‬

‫ܢܶܚܨ ݂ ܽܕܘܢܶܗ‪.‬‬

‫ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܙܥܘܪ ܶܡܢܶܗ‪.‬‬

Ch. 

 

who celebrate, gather together, and exult for joy when they find the grave; to a man whose way is hidden and whom God has protected? 1



For my groaning came before my food, 2



For the fear which I had feared has come upon me,



Still I am not calm, nor quiet,

and my outcries 3 were poured out as the waters. and that which I was dreading has touched me. nor at rest; but anger has come.’

‘protected’ or ‘rested upon’. ‘food’: lit. ‘bread’. 3 ‘outcries’: same Syr. word as used in Job 4:10 for ‘roar’ of lion. 1 2



‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܟܒ ݁ܕ ܳܚ ݂ ܶܕܝܢ ܘ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܺ‬ ‫ܢܫܝܢ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܺܝܨܝܢ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܟ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݁‬ ‫ܫܟ ܺܚܝܢ ܰܩ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܳ‬ ‫ܡܣ ݁ܬ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܐܘܪܚܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܽܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ݁ ܶܓܢ ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܟܓ ܰ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܚܬ ̱ܝ ܥܶܠ ܰ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܟܕ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܰܠܚܡ ̱ܝ ݁ܬ ܰ� ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ̈ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܐܫ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܦܥ ̱ܝ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ ܢܶ ̈ܗ ܳܡ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ݁ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܶܕܚܠ ݂ܬ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܬ݀ ܥܠܰܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟܗ ܡܛܠ ܕ݂ܕܚ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪ܰ :‬ܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ܕ ܳܙ ܐܥ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܛܝ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܘ� ܶܫ ݂ܟ ݁ܬ ݂ܬ‪:‬‬ ‫ܟܘ ܘ� ܫܠ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܳܙ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܢ ܶܚ ݂ܬ‪ :‬ܘ ݂ܐܬܐ ܪ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

 

For it did not shut the doors of my mother’s womb, and it hid misery 1 from my eyes.

Why did I not die from the womb?

And why did I emerge from a pregnancy? I then would have perished! 2



Why did knees rear me?



For perhaps by now I would have lain down and been still;



with kings and rulers of the earth for whom ruins were built,



And why did I suckle from the breasts?

I would have slept and been at rest

or with rulers who have amassed gold, and their abodes were filled with silver.



Or why was I not like the hidden, discarded fetuses, 3



For there, the reprobate have stopped being angry;

   

and as infants that have never seen the light?

there, those who have been wearied in their lives are at rest.

The captives are at ease together, for they do not hear the voice of the slave driver.

The small and the great are there, and the servant who has been freed from his master.

Why has light been given to the miserable, and life to those embittered of soul, who await death, yet it does not come, 4

though they seek for it as for treasure;

‘misery’ or ‘toil’. ‘I then would have perished’. Punct. difference; many MSS read clause with the following verse: ‘For having perished, why did knees raise me?’ Compare with Job 10:18. 3 ‘discarded fetuses’: Syr. can be interpreted as either an ‘aborted’ or ‘miscarried’ fetus, hence the adjective ‘discarded’. See also Išoʿdād (Schliebitz 1907, 15). 4 ‘it does not come’: lit. ‘it is not’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܝ‪ .‬ܘ ܰܣ ݁ܬܪ ܥܰܡ� ܶܡܢ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܰܠ ݁ܕ� ܐ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ݁ܬ�ܥܰܝ ܰܡ ݁ܪܒ ܳܥ ̇ܗ ݁ ܶܕ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݂ܬ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ݁ܪܒ ܳܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܡܢܐ � ܡ ݂‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܛܢܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ݂ܦ ܶܩ ݂ܬ‪:‬‬ ‫ܳܣ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܝ ݁ ܽܒܘ� ݁ ܶܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ � ݁ܒ ܳܝ ̱‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܝ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ݁ܬ݂ ܰܕ ܳ�̈ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܩ ݂ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫݁ܟ ݂ ܰܒܪ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪ܰ .‬ܘܫ�‬ ‫ܫܟ ݂ܝܒ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܺܘܢܝܚ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܕ ܺܡ ݂ܝܟ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܺ� ̈ܝ ܳܛܢܶܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪݁ :‬ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ̈� ܳܝܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܰܡ ܰܡ� ݁ ̈ܶܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰܚ� ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ݁ܳ ݁ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܥܰܡ ܰܫ ܺ� ̈ܝ ܳܛܢܶܐ‪݁ :‬ܕ ܰܕ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ ܶܟ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܣܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪ :‬ܘܡܠܝܢ ܒ‬ ‫݂ ݂‬ ‫ܗܒܐ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܘ � ܺ‬ ‫ܛܡܝ ܶ� ܐ ܰܐ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܝ ̈ܚ ܶܛܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪:‬‬ ‫ܗܘ ݂‬ ‫ܚܙܘ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܶ� ݂ܕ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂‬ ‫݁ܕ ݂ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܰ� ܳ ̈ܘ ܶ� ܫܠ ܺܝܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܰܕܠ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܓ ܽܙܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܳ ܶ ݁ ݁ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܚܝܢ ܐܝܠܝܢ ݁ ܰܕ �ܝܢ ݁ܒ ܰܚ ܰ� ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܬܡܢ ܡܬܬ�‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܐܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ ܰܐ ܺܣܝ ܶ� ܐ ܫܠܶܝܢ‪ :‬ܘ� ܳܫܡܥܺܝܢ ܳܩ� ݂ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫ ݁ܥܒ ݂ ܳܕ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܙܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܘ ܰܪ ݁ ܳܒܐ ݂ܬ ܳܡܢ ܽ ̱ܗܘ‪ :‬ܘܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ܰܪܪ ܶܡܢ ܳܡ ܶܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܬܝ ܶܗܒ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ̈ܝܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܥ ̈ܡ ܶ�‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܠܡ ܺܪܝ ܰ�ܝ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܶܡ ݂ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݁‬ ‫݁ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ‪:‬‬ ‫ܡܣ ݁ ܶܟܝܢ ܠܡ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܺ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܘܒܥܝܢ ܠܗ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܕܠܣ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



After this, Job opened his mouth,



Job said:

and he cursed the day on which he was born.



‘May the day perish on which I was born,



May that day be darkness,

and the night on which it was said, “a boy 1 has been conceived.” and may God not take account of it from above, and may light not shine upon it!



May darkness and the shadows of death conceal it, may the cloud settle upon it,

may those who are embittered of the day terrify it!



As for that night, may an obscuring darkness 2 conceal it!

As for that day, may it not be counted among the number of the days of the year, and may it not enter into the number of the months.

  

As for that night, may it be miscarried, 3 and may praise not enter into it!

May those who curse the day curse it — those who are prepared to arouse Leviathan. 4 May its morning stars be darkened.

May they await the light, and may it not appear. 5 May it not behold the dawn’s rays.

‘a boy’: lit. ‘a man’. ‘obscuring darkness’: a different Syr. word from ‘darkness’ in verse 4. 3 ‘miscarried’ or ‘aborted’. 4 ‘Leviathan’: see also Psalm 74:17; Psalm 104:26; Isaiah 27:1. 5 ‘may it not appear’: lit. ‘may not be for it’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫ܓ‪.‬‬

‫ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ݁ܶ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ݁ ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܒ ݂ܬܪܟܢ ܦ ݂‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܛ ܝܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬܝܠ ݂ܕ ݁ ܶܒܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܒ ݂ܕ ܝܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺܢ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬܝܰ ݁ ܶ‬ ‫�ܕ ݂ܬ ݁ ܶܒܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ݁ ܶܒܗ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬ ݁ܒ�ܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܗܘ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܚ ܽܫ ݂ܘܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܶܡܢ �ܥܶܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܒܥܝ ̱‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܢܶܕ ܰܢܚ ܥܠ ܰܘܗܝ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܽ ܳ ܶ ̈‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܘܛܠܠ ܰܝ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܚܫ ݂‬ ‫݂ ܰܢܟ ܶܣܝ ̱‬ ‫݁ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܥ� ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ ݁ ܰܪܟܢ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܬܘܢܶܗ ܰܡ ܺܪܝ ܰ�ܝ ܝܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢ ݂ܒ ݂‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܥܰܡܛ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܰܗܘ ݂ ܰܢܟ ܶܣܝ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܗܘ ܳ� ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܫ ݂ܒ ݁ܒ ܶܡ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܫܢ̱ ݁ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܶܡ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܰܝ� ܶܚܐ � ܶ� ܽܥܘܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺܠ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܓ ܰܙܝ‪:‬‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܗܘ ܢܗܘܐ ܰ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫݁ ܶ ݁ ܶ ݁ܽ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ� ݂ܬ ܽܥܘܠ ܒܗ ܬܫܒ‬ ‫ܽ ܽ ܶ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ܰ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬ ݂ܝܕܝܢ ܠ‬ ‫ܡ� ܳ� ܽܪ ݂ܘܬܗ ܠܘܝܳ ݂ܬܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܠܘܛܘܢܗ �ܝܛܝ ܝܘܡܐ‪ :‬ܐܝܠܝܢ ܕ ݂‬ ‫ܢܶܚ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܟܘܢ ݁ ܰܟ ̈ܘ ݁ܟ ݂ ܰܒܝ ܰܫ ݂ܦ ܶܪܗ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܣ ݁ ܽܟܘܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ݂ܒ ܰܙ ܺ� ̈ܝ ܰܩܝ ܰܫ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



And they raised their eyes from far off, but they did not recognize him. And they raised their voice and wept.

And each man rent his own garment.

And they scattered dust upon their heads, up towards the sky.



And they sat down upon the ground with him seven days and seven nights. And no one said a word, because they saw that his condition greatly afflicted him. 1

1

‘afflicted him’: lit. ‘it was strong upon him’.



‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬

‫ܘܚܩܐ‪ܳ :‬ܘ� ܶܐ ݁ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺܐܪܝܡ ̱ܘ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܬ ݁ܘܕܥ ̱‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺܐܪܝܡ ̱ܘ ܳܩ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰܟܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰܨܪܘ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܪ ݁ܦ ܺܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܣܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ݂ܕ ܰܪܘ ܥܰ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܥܰܠ ܺ� ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܪ ܳܥܐ‪ܰ :‬ܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥܐ ܺܐܝ ̈ ܳܡ ܺܡܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥܐ ܰ� ̈ܝ ܰ� ܳܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺܘܝ ݂ܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܥܡܗ ܥ‬ ‫ܽ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܳܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܢ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܚܙܘ ݁ܕܥ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܶܡ ܳ�‪ܶ :‬ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ� ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܡܚ ݂ܘܬܗ ܛ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



And the Lord said to Satan,

‘Behold, he is released into your hands; only preserve his life.’ 1



And Satan departed from before the presence of the Lord. And he struck Job with evil sores 2

from the bottom of his foot to his forehead.



And Job 3 took a potsherd to scrape himself with,



And his wife said to him,

and he sat down upon an ash heap.

‘Even now do you persevere in your integrity? Scorn your God 4 and die!’



He said to her,

‘You are speaking as one of the foolish women speaks. We have accepted the good things of God,

so shall we not also accept His evil things?’ II



In all these things Job did not sin, neither did he reproach God with his lips. And Job’s three friends heard of all this evil which came upon him. And they met together by agreement and came to him, each man from his own home: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.

And they joined together in agreement to come and encourage him 5

and to comfort him.

‘life’ or ‘soul’. ‘sores’: lit. ‘sore’ (sing.). 3 ‘Job’: lit. ‘he’. 4 ‘your God’: see Appendix 2: Variant Readings. 5 ‘to encourage him’: lit. ‘to fill up his heart’. 1 2



‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫ܨܚ ܒ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܤܛ ܳܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰܡܫܠܰܡ ݁ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫݁ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫�ܚ ݂ܘܕ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ܛܪ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܩ ܳܤ ܳܛ ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܰܐ ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܚܝ ̱ܗܝ ܺ� ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ݁ܒ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܢܐ ݂ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܬܐ ݂ܕ ܶܪ ݂ܓܠܶܗ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܢ ܦ ݂‬ ‫ܢܣܒ ܶܠܗ ܶܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܦܐ ܠ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܓ ܳܪ ݂ ܽܕܘ ݂ ܶܒܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܥܰܠ ܶܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܛܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܝ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܐ ܶܠܗ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܐ ݂ܦ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡ ݂ܘܬ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܗ ܳܫܐ ܡܚܡܣܢ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܒ ݂ܬܡ‬ ‫ܰܨ ܳܚܐ ܰ� ܳܠ ܳܗ ݂ܟ‪ܽ :‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ݂ܘܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐ ܰܡܪ ܳ� ̇ܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܡܠ ܶ ݁‬ ‫ܠܬ ̱ܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܕܡܡ�� ݂‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܡܢ ܫܛܝ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳ̈ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ̈ܝ ܳܫ ݂ܬܗ � ܰܢܩ ݁ ܶܒܠ‪.‬‬ ‫ܛ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܗ ܕܐܠܗܐ ܩܒ�ܢܢ‪݂ :‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ̈ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܒܗܠܝܢ ܟ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ � ܚܛܐ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܦ� ݂ܓܕ ݂ܦ ܥ�ܠܗܐ ݂ܒܣ ݂ܦܘ ݂ܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܽ ܳ ̇ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫݁ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ـܘܒ ܒ ݂ܟ�ــܗ ܒܝܫـ‬ ‫ܚܡ ـ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ـ ̱ܘ ܬܠ ـ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ ܺܕ ܽܐܝـ ݂‬ ‫݂‬ ‫ـܬܐ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬ ݂ܬ݀ ܥܠ ـ ̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܘܥܰ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬܘ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬܗ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܪ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ܺ ܳ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬ ܳ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܠ ݂ܝܦܙ ܬܝܡ�ܝܐ‪݂ :‬ܘܒ�ܕ݂ܕ ܫܘܚܝܐ‪ :‬ܘܨ ݂ܘܦܪ ܢܥ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡܡ� ݂ܒ ܶ� ݁ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܬܘܥ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ܕ ܐ ܠܡ ݂ܐܬܐ‪ :‬ܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܒ ܳܝܐ ݂ܘܬܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܠ ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

Chapter 



One day the children of Elohim came to stand before the Lord.



And the Lord said to Satan,

And Satan also came among them to stand before the Lord. ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the Lord,

‘I have travelled back and forth upon the earth and walked about on it.’



And the Lord said to Satan,

‘Behold, you have considered 1 my servant Job!

For there is none like him upon the Earth: an upright and righteous man,

fearing God and turning away from evil.

And up to now, he perseveres in his integrity.

Yet, you keep inciting Me against him, to destroy him for no reason.’



And Satan answered the Lord, ‘Skin for skin!

For one would give up all of one’s possessions 2 in exchange for one’s soul, to be saved.



If not, stretch forth Your hand and touch 3 his body or his bone, and see if he 4 will not scorn You to Your face.’

‘considered’: lit. ‘set your heart upon’. ‘all of one’s possessions’: lit. ‘that belongs to a man’. 3 ‘touch’: lit. ‘come near to’. 4 ‘and see if he’: lit. ‘if he’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫ܒ‪.‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝܡ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܰܐ ܽܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܩܡ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܘܐ ܝܘܡܐ‪ :‬ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܳܐ ݂ܦ ܳܤ ܳܛ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܩܡ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܤܛ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܐܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܟܐ ܐ ݂ܬܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ܳܤ ܳܛ ܳܢܐ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܗ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܚ ݂ܕ ܶܪ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܠܟ ݂ܬ ݁ ܳܒ ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܤܛ ܳܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܳܣ ݁‬ ‫ܡܬ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܟ ܥܰܠ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ܕ ̱ܝ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܐ ݂ܟ ܳܘ ݂ܬܶܗ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫݁ܕ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܪ ݁ܬ ܺܡܝܡ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܺܪܝܨ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ ܳܘܕ ܶܚܠ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪ :‬ܘܤܛܐ ܡܢ ܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗ ܳܫܐ ܡܚܡܣܢ ܒ ݂ܬܡ‬ ‫ܝܡ ݂ܘܬܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܓ ܶܪ ܐ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝ ݂ ܶܒܗ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܕ ݁‬ ‫ܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܣܪ ܳܝܩܐ ݂‬ ‫ܐܘܒ ݂ ܺܕܝ ̱‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ܳܤ ܳܛ ܳܢܐ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܫܟܐ ܚܠ ܳ ݂ܦ ܶܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫݂ܽ‬ ‫ܠܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܝܳ ܶܗ ݂ܒ ܚܠ ݂ܦ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܟܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܺܕ ݂‬ ‫ܐܝܬ ܰ ݂‬ ‫ܘ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܦܠܰܛ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܫܛ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳܝܕ ݂ܟ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܳ�‪ܰ :‬ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܡܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ܘܒ ݂‬ ‫ܠܒܣܪܗ ܐܘ ܰ ݂‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܳ� ݂ ܰܒ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܦ ̈ܝ ݁ܟ ܰܢܨ ܶܚ ݂ܝܟ‪.‬‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



And Job rose up, and rent his garment, and shaved his head;



He said,

he fell down upon the ground, and he worshipped.

‘Naked I came out from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The Lord gave and the Lord took away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!’



And in all these things Job did not sin, neither did he reproach God.



‫‪ ‬ܟ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܟܒ‬

‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܓܙ ܺܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܫܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܩܡ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܘܨܪ ܐ ݂ܦܪܝܣܗ‪݂ܰ .‬‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܓ ݂ܕ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܢܦܠ ܥ�ܪܥܐ ܘ ݂ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫� ݁ܽ‬ ‫ܪܛܠ ܢܶ ݂ܦ ܶܩ ݂ܬ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܦ ݂ܘܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܡܝ‪ :‬ܘܥܪܛ‬ ‫ܥ‬ ‫ܪܣ ̇ܗ ݁ ܶܕ ̱‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ܢ ܰܣ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬

‫ܗܘܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܒ ܰܪ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ � ܚܛܐ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܦ� ݂ܰܓ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܦ ܥܰ� ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܒܗܠܝܢ ܟ‬

‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



So one day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking in the house of their oldest brother,



a messenger 1 came to Job saying,



And a band of robbers fell upon them 2 and led them away,

‘The oxen were plowing and the female asses were grazing next to them. and the servants were killed with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!’



And as he was speaking, another came saying, ‘The fire of God fell down from heaven

and consumed the sheep and the shepherds, and it incinerated them,

and I alone have escaped to tell you!’



And as he was speaking, another came saying,

‘The Chaldeans split themselves into three groups,

and they fell upon the camels and they led them away, and they killed the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!’



And as he was speaking, another came saying,

‘Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking in the house of the oldest brother.



And a strong wind came from the edges of the desert, and it rushed against the four sides of the house,

and the house 3 fell upon the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you!’

‘messenger’ or ‘angel’. ‘fell upon them’: lit. ‘fell’. 3 ‘the house’: lit. ‘it’. 1 2



‫‪ ‬ܝܓ‬ ‫‪ ‬ܝܕ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܗ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܘ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܙ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܚ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܛ‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܝـܬ ܰܐ ܽܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܝܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ـܘܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ ̈ܒ ܰܢܘ ̱ܗܝ ܰܘ ݂ܒܢ̈ ݂ܬܗ ݁ ܺܕ ܽܐܝ ݂ܘܒ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܟܠܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ‬ ‫ܘܫ ݂ܬܝܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂‬ ‫ܰܩ ܺܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܳܟܐ ܶܐ ݂ ܳܬܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘ ݂ܬ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ̈ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܝܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܶܓ ݁ܒ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ܬܘ� ܐ ݂ ܳܕ ݂ܒ ܺܪܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܦܕ ܢܐ‪ .‬ܘܐܬ�ܐ �‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܢܦܠ ݁ܓܝܣܐ ݂‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܥ� ̈ܝ ܶܡܐ ܶܐ ݂ܬ ܰܩ ܰܛܠ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܝ ݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܛ ݂ܬ ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܚ ܶܘ ݂ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܬܦ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܶܠ‪ܶ :‬ܐ ݂ ܳܬܐ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܳܢܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܰ ݂ܕ ܽܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܽܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ܶܡܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܢܶ ݂ܦܠ ܰ ݂ ݀‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ܰ ݀ ݁ ܳ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܩܕ ݂ܬ݀ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܣܦ ݂ܬ ܒ�ܢܐ ܘ ݂ܒ��ܘ ݂ܬܐ‪ .‬ܘܐ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܝ ݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܛ ݂ܬ ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܚ ܶܘ ݂ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܬܦ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܶܠ‪ܶ :‬ܐ ݂ ܳܬܐ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܰ ݂ܕ ܽܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ‪:‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫݁ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫�ܕ�̈ܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܦܠ ܰ ݂ܓ ̱ܘ ܰܠ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ̈ܡ ܰ� ܳܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܟ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܠ ̱ܘ ܥܰܠ ݁ܓܡ�‪ :‬ܘ݂ܕ ݂ܒܪ ̱ܘ ܐܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥ� ̈ܝ ܶܡܐ ܰܩ ܶܛܠ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܝ ݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܛ ݂ܬ ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܚ ܶܘ ݂ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܬܦ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܡܠܶܠ‪ :‬ܐ ݂ܬܐ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܳܢܐ‪ܶ :‬ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܰ ݂ܕ ܽܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ‪:‬‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܫ ݂ܬܝܢ‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܝ ݁ܟ ܰܘ ݂ܒܢ̈ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ ܐ ݂ܟܠܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܐ ܽܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܘܢ ܰܩ ܺܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܶܒ ݂‬ ‫ܳ ܶܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ݂ܬ ܺܩ ݂ܝܦ ݁ܬܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܬ݀ ܶܡܢ ܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܪ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ ܰ ݀ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ̈ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܐܬܛܪܝ ݂ܬ ܒܐܪܒܥ ܙ ܘܝ ݂ܬܗ ܕ ݂ܒ‬ ‫ܢܦܠ ܥܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܛ� ̈ܝܶܐ‪ܺ :‬‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ‬ ‫ܶ ݁ܰ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܝ ݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܛ ݂ܬ ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܚ ܶܘ ݂ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂ܐܬܦ‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 



And the Lord said to Satan,

‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the Lord,

‘I have travelled back and forth upon the earth and walked about on it.’



And the Lord said to Satan,

‘Behold, you have considered 1 my servant Job! For there is none like him upon the Earth: an upright and righteous man,

fearing God and turning away from evil.’



And Satan answered the Lord,



You have set Your hand as a protective shelter 2 for him,

‘Does Job fear God for nothing?

and for his house, and for his sons, and for everything that he owns — everywhere! 3 For You have blessed the work of his hands, and his property is enlarged upon the Earth.



However, extend Your hand and touch 4 everything that he has,



And the Lord said to Satan,

and see if he 5 will not scorn You to Your face!’ ‘Behold, all he owns is given into your hands.

Only do not stretch out your hand upon him, himself.’

And Satan departed from before the presence 6 of the Lord. ‘considered’: lit. ‘set your heart on’. 2 ‘set … protective shelter’: lit. ‘covered’ or ‘protected’. See also Job 3:23 and 29:4. 3 ‘everywhere’: lit. ‘on every side’. 4 ‘touch’: lit. ‘come near to’. 5 ‘and see if he’: lit. ‘if he’. 6 ‘presence’: lit. ‘face’. 1



‫‪‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܐ‬

‫‪ ‬ܝܒ‬

‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܤܛ ܳܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܐܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܟܐ ܐ ݂ܬܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ܳܤ ܳܛ ܳܢܐ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܗ ݂ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܚ ݂ܕ ܶܪ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܟ ݂ܬ ݁ ܳܒ ̇ܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܤܛ ܳܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܳܣ ݁‬ ‫ܡܬ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܟ ܥܰܠ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ܕ ̱ܝ ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪:‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ܰܐ ݂ܟ ܳܘ ݂ܬܶܗ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫݁ܕ ܰܠ ݁‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܪ ݁ܬ ܺܡܝܡ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܺܪܝܨ‪:‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ ܳܘܕ ܶܚܠ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪ :‬ܘܤܛܐ ܡܢ ܒ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܥ ܳܢܐ ܳܤ ܳܛ ܳܢܐ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ ܶܓܝܪ ݁ ܳܕ ܶܚ� ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܪ ܳܝܩܐ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪:‬‬ ‫ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܐ ݁ ܶܓ ݁ܢܬ ܐ ݂ ܳܝܕ ݂ܟ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝـܬ ܶܠـܗ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܟـܠ‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܒ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ ܘܥܰܠ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ‪ :‬ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܺܕ ݂‬ ‫݁ ܽܕ ݁ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ݁ ܰܒ ܶܪ ݂ܟ ݁ܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ̱‬ ‫ܣܓܝ ݂ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܩ ܳܢ�ܢܗ ܺ ݂‬ ‫ܘܫܛ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳܝܕ ݂ܟ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܪ ݂ܘܒ ݂ ܽ‬ ‫݁ܒ ܰܪܡ ݁ ܶܕܝܢ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠܟܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܺܕ ݂‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܳ� ݂ ܰܒ ݁ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܦ ̈ܝ ݁ܟ ܰܢܨ ܶܚ ݂ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܤܛ ܳܢܐ‪:‬‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‬ ‫ܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܰܡܫܠܰܡ ݁ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ݂ ܽܟܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܺܕ ݂‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳ� ݂ ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫݁ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܫܛ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳܝܕ ݂ܟ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܚ ݂ܘܕ ܥܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰܘ ݂ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܩ ܳܤ ܳܛ ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܰܐ ݁ ܰܦ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫‪‬‬

Ch. 

I



Chapter 

There was a certain man in the land of Uz 1 whose name was Job. The man was upright and righteous, fearing God and shunning evil.

 

And seven sons and three daughters were born to him.

And his property included 7,000 sheep and 3,000 camels and 500 teams of oxen and 500 female asses

and an exceedingly big household,

for that man was greater than all the Easterners. 2



And his sons used to go and prepare a feast in each one’s house, each on his day. 3

And they would send for and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.



And whenever the days of the feast had run their course, 4 Job summoned and sanctified his children. 5 And Job got up early in the morning and offered up sacrifices for all of them.

For Job said, ‘Maybe my children have sinned and scorned God in their hearts.’ So Job did continually. 6



One day 7 the children of Elohim came to stand before the Lord. And Satan also came among them to stand before the Lord.

‘Uz’: also mentioned in the Peshiṭta of Lamentations 4:21 and Jeremiah 25:20. ‘Easterners’: lit. ‘children of the East’. 3 ‘each on his day’: lit. ‘of his day’. 4 ‘run their course’: lit. ‘completed a full cycle’. 5 ‘his children’: lit. ‘them’. 6 ‘continually’: lit. ‘all of the days’. 7 ‘one day’: lit. ‘there was a day’. 1 2



‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܨܚ ܐ‬ ‫‪‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܒ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܓ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫ܐ‪.‬‬

‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬ ܗ ܳܘܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܨ‪ܺ :‬ܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܐ ݂ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ݂ܬ ܺܡܝܡ ܰܘܙ ݁ ܺܕܝܩ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ ܳܘܕ ܶܚܠ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ‪ .‬ܘܤܛܐ ܡܢ ܒ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘ ݂ܐܬܝܠ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܶܠܗ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥܐ ݂ܒ ܺ� ̈ܝܢ‪ܰ :‬ܘ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ݁ܒܢ̈ܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܳ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܐ ݂ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܦ ̈ܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ̈ܡ�‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܘܐ ܩܢ�ܢܗ ܫ ݂ܒܥܐ ܐ ݂‬ ‫ܠܦܝܢ �ܢܐ‪ :‬ܘ ݂ܬܠ ݂‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܺ ̈ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡܐܐ ܐ ݁ܬ ܺ� ̈ܝܢ‪:‬‬ ‫ܘܚܡܫ ܡܐܐ ݂ܦܕ�ܝܢ ܕ ݂ܬܘ� ܐ‪ :‬ܘܚܡ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܥ ݂ ܳܒ ݁ܕ ݁ ܳܬܐ ܽܣ ݂ܳ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ݁ܕܛ ݂ܒ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܗܘ ܰܪ ݁ܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܰܡ ݂ܕܢ ܳܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫݂ܰ‬ ‫ܳܘ ܺܐܙܠܝܢ ܗ ܰܘܘ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘܗܝ‪ܳ :‬‬ ‫ܝܬ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܪ ݁ܕܝܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܥ ݂ܒ ݁ ܺܕܝܢ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܘܡܗ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܬ ܳ�ܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݂‬ ‫̱‬ ‫̱ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫ ݁ܕ ܺܪܝــܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܳ‬ ‫ــܬ ܐ ̈ܚــ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ‪ܶ :‬‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܡ ݂ ܰܐܟــܠ ܘܠܡܫــܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܶܪܝــܢ ܰܠ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂‬ ‫ܥܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܫܬ ܳ�ܐ‪ܰ :‬ܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܰܐ ܶܩ ݂ܦ ̱ܘ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ܰܡ ݁‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩ ݁ ܶܕܫ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܣܩ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ ̈ܒ ܶܚܐ ܶܡ ܳܢܝܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩ ݁ ܶܕܡ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ݁ܒ ܰܨ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ‪ܰ ݁ :‬ܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܛܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ‪ܰ :‬‬ ‫ܠܡܐ‬ ‫ܘܨ ܺܚܝܘ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܒ ܶ� ݁ܒ ܽܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܳܥ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܺܐ ܽܝ ݂ܘܒ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝܡ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܰܐ ܽܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܩܡ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܘܐ ܝܘܡܐ‪ :‬ܘ ݂‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬܐ ܳܐ ݂ܦ ܳܤ ܳܛ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܩܡ ݂ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘ݂‬

‫‪‬‬

‫ܟܬܒܐ ܕܐܝܘܒ ܙܕܝܩܐ‬

‫ܥܘܬܕܐ‬ ‫ܚܡܠ ܟܬܒܐ ܗܢܐ ܠܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܟܬܒܐ ܕܐܝܘܒ ܙܕܝܩܐ ܠܦܘܬ ܡܦܩܬܐ‬ ‫ܕܡܬܩܪܝܐ ܦܫܝܛܬܐ܆ ܥܡ ܡܥܒܪܢܘܬܐ ܐܢܓܠܝܫܝܬܐ‪ .‬ܐܬܦܚܡܬ ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ‬ ‫ܗܕܐ ܥܠ ܡܦܩܬܐ ܡܘܨܠܝܬܐ܇ ܕܒܝܕ ܡܪܝ ܩܠܝܡܝܣ ܝܘܣܦ ܕܘܝܕ‬ ‫ܐܬܦܪܣܬ ܡܕܢܚܐܝܬ ܫܢܬ ܐܦܦܙ ـ ܐܦܨܐ܇ ܒܬܪ ܡܐ ܕܫܚܠܦܢܢ ܠܣܪܛܗ ܡܢ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܢܘܩܙܝ ܪܘܟܟܐ ܘܩܘܫܝܐ ܓܡܝܪܐܝܬ܆ ܘܢܝܫܐ‬ ‫ܡܕܢܚܝܐ ܠܡܥܪܒܝܐ܆ ܘܐܘܣܦܢܢ‬ ‫ܕܡܒܛܠܢܐ ܠܦܘܬ ܡܫܠܡܢܘܬܐ ܕܝܘܡܢ‪.‬‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܦܚܡܢܢ ܕܝܢ ܠܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܡܘܨܠܝܬܐ ܥܡ ܣ̈ܪܝܛܐ ܥܬܝܩܐ‪ .‬ܘܐܫܟܚܢܢ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܫܘܚܠܦܐ ܒܨܝ̈ܪܐ ܒܩ̈ܪܝܢܐ܇ ܗܪܟܐ ܘܬܡܢ܇ ܒܝܬ ܡܦܩܬܐ ܡܘܨܠܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܕܐܝܬ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܣ̈ܪܝܛܐ ܥܬܝܩܐ‪ .‬ܘܙܕܩ ܠܡܕܥ ܕܣܘܓܐܐ ܕܗܠܝܢ ܩ̈ܪܝܢܐ ܕܒܡܦܩܬܐ‬ ‫ܡܘܨܠܝܬܐ ܫܟܝܚܝܢ ܘܠܘ ܒܣ̈ܪܝܛܐ ܕܥܠ ܫܟܝܚܘܬ ܐܘ ܚܣܝܪܘܬ ̈‬ ‫ܐܬܘܬܐ‬ ‫ܒܕܘܠܝܬܐ ܐܢܘܢ܆ ܘܕܥܠ ܫܟܝܚܘܬ ܐܘ ܚܣܝܪܘܬ ̈‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܣܝܡܐ ܐܢܘܢ ܘܫܪܟܐ‪ .‬ܣܕܪܐ‬ ‫ܕܗܠܝܢ ܩ̈ܪܝܢܐ ܥܠ ܕܦܐ ‪ IX‬ܫܟܝܚ ܒܓܒܐ ܐܢܓܠܝܫܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܬܪܨܢ ܠܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܠܦܘܬ ܡܫܠܡܢܘܬܐ ܣܘܪܝܝܬܐ ܡܥܪܒܝܬܐ ܕܝܘܡܢ‬ ‫ܪܕܝܐ‪ .‬ܐܝܬܐ ܠܡܐܡܪ‪ :‬ܟܬܒܢܢ ܺܪܝܫ ܚܠܦ ܺܪܫ ܘܫܪܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܟܐ ܕܝܢ ܩܘܒܠܛܝܒܘܬܐ ܡܩܪܒܝܢܢ ܠܡܠܦܢܐ ܐܢܕܪܐܘܣ ܝܘܟܝܠ ܕܥܕܪ‬ ‫ܬܘܕܝܢ ܕܐܠ ̈‬ ‫ܒܦܘܚܡܐ ܥܠ ܣ̈ܪܝܛܐ ܥܬܝ̈ܩܐ‪ .‬ܘܠܡܪܝܐ ܠܐܗܐ ̈‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܡܘܦܝܢ܀ ܐܝܢ‬ ‫ܘܐܡܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܕܘܟܪܢܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ ܒܘܪܕܥܢܐ܆ ܠ ܚܙܝܪܢ ܒܝܘ ܡ‬ ‫ܓܘܪܓܝ ܒܪ ܐܢܛܘܢ ܕܒܝܬ ܟܝܪܐܙ‬ ‫ܕܝܪܝܐ ܝܘܣܦ ܒܐܠܝ‬

‫ܗ‬

‫̈‬ ‫ܙܕܩܐ ܢܛܝܪܝܢ܀‬

‫ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܡܦܩܬܐ ܦܫܝܛܬܐ ܥܡ ܡܥܒܪܢܘܬܐ ܐܢܓܠܝܫܝܬܐ‬

‫ܟܬܒܐ ܕܐܝܘܒ ܙܕܝܩܐ‬ ‫ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܣܘܪܝܐܝܬ‬

‫ܓܘܪܓܝ ܒܪ ܐܢܛܘܢ ܕܒܝܬ ܟܝܪܐܙ‬ ‫ܕܝܪܝܐ ܝܘܣܦ ܒܐܠܝ‬

‫ܒܝܘ ܡ‬ ‫ܓܘܪܓܝܐܣ ܦܪܣ‬

‫ܡܥܒܪܢܘܬܐ ܐܢܓܠܝܫܝܬܐ‬

‫ܔܘܢܘܬܐܢ ܠܘܒܣܛܪܐ‬ ‫ܕܘܢܐܠܕ ܡ‪ .‬ܘܐܠܬܪ‬

‫ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ‬

‫̈‬ ‫ܡܦܚܡܢܝ ܫܫܠܬܐ‬

‫ܓܘܪܓܝ ܒܪ ܐܢܛܘܢ ܕܒܝܬ ܟܝܪܐܙ‬

‫ܐܢܕܪܐܘܣ ܒܪ ܘܐܠܬܪ ܕܒܝܬ ܝܘܟܝܠ‬

‫ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܡܦܩܬܐ ܦܫܝܛܬܐ ܥܡ ܡܥܒܪܢܘܬܐ ܐܢܓܠܝܫܝܬܐ‬

‫ܟܬܒܐ ܕܐܝܘܒ ܙܕܝܩܐ‬