Job 39

Kender du Tiden, da Stengeden føder, tager du Vare på Hindenes Veer,

Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?

tæller du mon deres Drægtigheds Måneder, kender du Tiden, de føder?

Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?

De lægger sig ned og føder og kaster Kuldet,

They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.

Ungerne trives, gror til i det frie, løber bort og kommer ej til dem igen.

Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.

Hvem slap Vildæslet løs, hvem løste mon Steppeæslets Reb,

Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?

som jeg gav Ørkenen til Hjem, den salte Steppe til Bolig?

Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.

Det ler ad Byens Larm og hører ej Driverens Skælden;

He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.

det ransager Bjerge, der har det sin Græsgang, det leder hvert Græsstrå op.

The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.

Er Vildoksen villig at trælle for dig, vil den stå ved din Krybbe om Natten?

Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

Binder du Reb om dens Hals, pløjer den Furerne efter dig?

Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

Stoler du på dens store Kræfter; overlader du den din Høst?

Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?

Tror du, den kommer tilbage og samler din Sæd på Loen?

Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?

Mon Strudsens Vinge er lam, eller mangler den Dækfjer og Dun,

Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?

siden den betror sine Æg til Jorden og lader dem varmes i Sandet,

Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,

tænker ej på, at en Fod kan knuse dem, Vildtet på Marken træde dem sønder?

And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.

Hård ved Ungerne er den, som var de ej dens; spildt er dens Møje, det ængster den ikke.

She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;

Thi Gud lod den glemme Visdom og gav den ej Del i Indsigt.

Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

Når Skytterne kommer, farer den bort, den ler ad Hest og Rytter.

What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.

Giver du Hesten Styrke, klæder dens Hals med Manke

Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

og lærer den Græshoppens Spring? Dens stolte Prusten indgyder Rædsel.

Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.

Den skraber muntert i Dalen, går Brynjen væligt i Møde;

He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.

den ler ad Rædselen, frygter ikke og viger ikke for Sværdet;

He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.

Koggeret klirrer over den, Spydet og Køllen blinker;

The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.

den sluger Vejen med gungrende Vildskab, den tøjler sig ikke, når Hornet lyder;

He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.

et Stød i Hornet, straks siger den: Huj! Den vejrer Kamp i det fjerne, Kampskrig og Førernes Råb.

He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

Skyldes det Indsigt hos dig, at Falken svinger sig op og breder sin Vinge mod Sønden?

Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?

Skyldes det Bud fra dig, at Ørnen flyver højt og bygger sin højtsatte Rede?

Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

Den bygger og bor på Klipper, på Klippens Tinde og Borg;

She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.

den spejder derfra efter Æde, viden om skuer dens Øjne.

From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.

Ungerne svælger i Blod; hvor Valen findes, der er den!

Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.