Testament of Job

Kohler1897 English translation, printed page 327

Testament of Job. 327 they had for seven days inquired after everything concerning me and searched for my flocks and other possessions, they said: 20. “Do we not know how many goods were sent by him to the cities and the villages round about to be given to the poor, aside from all that was given away by him within his own house? How then could he have fallen into such a state of perdition and misery!” 21. And after the seven days Elihu said to the kings: “Come let us step near and examine him accurately, whether he truly is Jobab or not?” 22. And they, being not half a mile (stadiwm) distant from his malodorous body, they rose and stepped near, carrying perfume in their hands, while their soldiers went with them and threw fragrant incense round about them so that they could come near me. 23. And after they had thus passed three hours, covering the way with aroma, they drew nigh. 24. And Eliphaz began and said: “Art thou, indeed, Job, our fellow-king? Art thou the one who owned the great glory? 25. Art thou he who once shone like the sun of day upon the whole earth? Art thou he who once resembled the moon and the stars effulgent throughout the night ?” 26. And I answered him and said: “1 am’, and thereupon all wept and lamented, and they sang a royal song of lamentation, their whole army joining them in a chorus. 27. And again Eliphaz) said to me: “Art thou he who had ordered seven thousand sheep to be given for the clothing of the poor? Whither, then hath gone the glory of thy throne ? 28. Art thou he who had ordered three thousand cattle to do the ploughing of the field for the poor? Whither, then hath thy glory gone! 29. Art thou he who had golden couches, and now thou sittest upon a dung hill? [“Whither then hath thy glory gone 17] 30. Art thou he who had sixty tables set for the poor? Art thou he who had censers for the fine perfume made of precious stones, and now thou art in a malodorous state ? Whither then hath thy glory gone! 2) 1 Read Eliphaz instead of Elihu. Ὦ The refrain is misplaced here in the original and omitted in other places.