Job 13
1 Ecce omnia hæc vidit oculus meus, et audivit auris mea, et intellexi singula.
“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.
2 Secundum scientiam vestram et ego novi: nec inferior vestri sum.
What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
3 Sed tamen ad Omnipotentem loquar, et disputare cum Deo cupio:
Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.
4 prius vos ostendens fabricatores mendacii, et cultores perversorum dogmatum.
You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
5 Atque utinam taceretis, ut putaremini esse sapientes.
If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
6 Audite ergo correptionem meam, et judicium labiorum meorum attendite.
Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.
7 Numquid Deus indiget vestro mendacio, ut pro illo loquamini dolos?
Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
8 numquid faciem ejus accipitis, et pro Deo judicare nitimini?
Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?
9 aut placebit ei quem celare nihil potest? aut decipietur, ut homo, vestris fraudulentiis?
Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him like a man?
10 Ipse vos arguet, quoniam in abscondito faciem ejus accipitis.
Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.
11 Statim ut se commoverit, turbabit vos, et terror ejus irruet super vos.
Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?
12 Memoria vestra comparabitur cineri, et redigentur in lutum cervices vestræ.
Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 Tacete paulisper, ut loquar quodcumque mihi mens suggesserit.
Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.
14 Quare lacero carnes meas dentibus meis, et animam meam porto in manibus meis?
Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?
15 Etiam si occiderit me, in ipso sperabo: verumtamen vias meas in conspectu ejus arguam.
Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.
16 Et ipse erit salvator meus: non enim veniet in conspectu ejus omnis hypocrita.
Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.
17 Audite sermonem meum, et ænigmata percipite auribus vestris.
Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.
18 Si fuero judicatus, scio quod justus inveniar.
Behold, now that I have prepared my case, I know that I will be vindicated.
19 Quis est qui judicetur mecum? veniat: quare tacens consumor?
Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.
20 Duo tantum ne facias mihi, et tunc a facie tua non abscondar:
Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:
21 manum tuam longe fac a me, et formido tua non me terreat.
Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.
22 Voca me, et ego respondebo tibi: aut certe loquar, et tu responde mihi.
Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.
23 Quantas habeo iniquitates et peccata? scelera mea et delicta ostende mihi.
How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
24 Cur faciem tuam abscondis, et arbitraris me inimicum tuum?
Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?
25 Contra folium, quod vento rapitur, ostendis potentiam tuam, et stipulam siccam persequeris:
Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?
26 scribis enim contra me amaritudines, et consumere me vis peccatis adolescentiæ meæ.
For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.
27 Posuisti in nervo pedem meum, et observasti omnes semitas meas, et vestigia pedum meorum considerasti:
You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
28 qui quasi putredo consumendus sum, et quasi vestimentum quod comeditur a tinea.
So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.
