Job 13

1 Ecce omnia hæc vidit oculus meus, et audivit auris mea, et intellexi singula.

Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard [them].

2 Secundum scientiam vestram et ego novi: nec inferior vestri sum.

And I know all that you too know; and I have not less understanding than you.

3 Sed tamen ad Omnipotentem loquar, et disputare cum Deo cupio:

Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will.

4 prius vos ostendens fabricatores mendacii, et cultores perversorum dogmatum.

But you are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases.

5 Atque utinam taceretis, ut putaremini esse sapientes.

But would that you were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end.

6 Audite ergo correptionem meam, et judicium labiorum meorum attendite.

But hear you the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgment of my lips.

7 Numquid Deus indiget vestro mendacio, ut pro illo loquamini dolos?

Do you not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him?

8 numquid faciem ejus accipitis, et pro Deo judicare nitimini?

Or will you draw back? nay do, you yourselves be judges.

9 aut placebit ei quem celare nihil potest? aut decipietur, ut homo, vestris fraudulentiis?

For [it were] well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing all things [in your power] you should attach yourselves to him,

10 Ipse vos arguet, quoniam in abscondito faciem ejus accipitis.

he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover you should secretly respect persons,

11 Statim ut se commoverit, turbabit vos, et terror ejus irruet super vos.

shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you?

12 Memoria vestra comparabitur cineri, et redigentur in lutum cervices vestræ.

And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body [like a body] of clay.

13 Tacete paulisper, ut loquar quodcumque mihi mens suggesserit.

Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from [mine] anger,

14 Quare lacero carnes meas dentibus meis, et animam meam porto in manibus meis?

while I may take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.

15 Etiam si occiderit me, in ipso sperabo: verumtamen vias meas in conspectu ejus arguam.

Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him.

16 Et ipse erit salvator meus: non enim veniet in conspectu ejus omnis hypocrita.

And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no entrance before him.

17 Audite sermonem meum, et ænigmata percipite auribus vestris.

Hear, hear you my words, for I will declare in your hearing.

18 Si fuero judicatus, scio quod justus inveniar.

Behold, I am near my judgment: I know that I shall appear evidently just.

19 Quis est qui judicetur mecum? veniat: quare tacens consumor?

For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire?

20 Duo tantum ne facias mihi, et tunc a facie tua non abscondar:

But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from your face.

21 manum tuam longe fac a me, et formido tua non me terreat.

Withhold [your] hand from me: and let not your fear terrify me.

22 Voca me, et ego respondebo tibi: aut certe loquar, et tu responde mihi.

Then shall you call, and I will listen to you: or you shall speak, and I will give you an answer.

23 Quantas habeo iniquitates et peccata? scelera mea et delicta ostende mihi.

How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are.

24 Cur faciem tuam abscondis, et arbitraris me inimicum tuum?

Therefore hide you yourself from me, and deem me your enemy?

25 Contra folium, quod vento rapitur, ostendis potentiam tuam, et stipulam siccam persequeris:

Will you be startled [at me], as [at] a leaf shaken by the wind? or will you set yourself against me as against grass borne upon the breeze?

26 scribis enim contra me amaritudines, et consumere me vis peccatis adolescentiæ meæ.

for you have written evil things against me, and you have compassed me with the sins of my youth.

27 Posuisti in nervo pedem meum, et observasti omnes semitas meas, et vestigia pedum meorum considerasti:

And you have placed my foot in the stocks; and you have watched all my works, and have penetrated my heels.

28 qui quasi putredo consumendus sum, et quasi vestimentum quod comeditur a tinea.

[I am as] that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment.