Hymn 9.

Chapter 5

1...My afflictions are as Job's. Your justice delivered him; let Your grace have mercy on me!

2In these two things is profit; that neither should the just, be weary in supplication, nor should the rebellious, multiply transgression.

3With the sons You labour, to chastise and help them ; and that the fathers should not be grieved, by the sound of the scourge, they left me in peace.

4Look, O my Lord, on my woods without, how they have been cut down! Behold, O my Lord, my breasts within, that they are too weak, for me to bear my beloved ones!

5With swords they have cut off, my wings that are without; again the fire kindles, in my bosom within, the incense of burnt offering.

6The sun-worshippers have killed, my sons in the plain: and they that offer to Baal , have sacrificed my bulls in the city, my sheep with my babes.

7In my fields is lamentation; in my halls wailing; in my vineyards terror; in my streets confusion. Who can suffice for me?

8The Evil One who dealt treacherously, and disturbed me with his words, stirred up trouble within, so that my inward part, is wholly as my outward part.

9With what face, O my Lord, shall I call on You to send, a camp of holy ones, to guard my bosom, which is full of uncleanness?

10With Your new leaven, You have chastened creation. Make the old leaven, which ensnares and humbles, to be like the new leaven!

11By the manifest striving, of Your power let us conquer; lest error should crown, those that strive for You, cleaving to them with blandishment!

12If we look into our time, it is like our deceit; — for in the years of truthfulness , we practised divinations, — and secretly used enchantments.

13If I look into the time, it provokes and into light — brings secret things, that our deceit may be shamed — which wore the raiment of Truth.

14Verily it is truth , that overcomes all; — and the sea with its bitterness, cannot trouble it — for it is pure in its nature.

15In wisdom You have made it, O my Lord, that it has laid bare our lust .— That the foolish should come to nought, and should not be encouraged — Truth has withheld the crown.

16On the tottering walls, whereon You have given me victory — the unthankful repay You, with sacrifice and libation, which provoke You openly.

17If it were at that time, sacrifices had been offered;— there had been room even, for delusion to suppose — that in these I was delivered.

18Through the multitude of deliverances, You have rebuked two things:— the delusion of graven images, and the teaching of magicians;— for in You, O my Lord, have I been delivered!