Job 13
1 Ecce omnia haec vidit oculus meus, et audivit auris mea, et intellexi singula.
Truly, my eye has seen all this, word of it has come to my ear, and I have knowledge of it.
2 Secundum scientiam vestram et ego novi: nec inferior vestri sum.
The same things are in my mind as in yours; I am equal to you.
3 Sed tamen ad Omnipotentem loquar, et disputare cum Deo cupio:
But I would have talk with the Ruler of all, and my desire is to have an argument with God.
4 Prius vos ostendens fabricatores mendacii, et cultores perversorum dogmatum.
But you put a false face on things; all your attempts to put things right are of no value.
5 Atque utinam taceretis, ut putaremini esse sapientes.
If only you would keep quiet, it would be a sign of wisdom!
6 Audite ergo correptionem meam, et iudicium labiorum meorum attendite.
Give ear to the argument of my mouth, and take note of the words of my lips.
7 Numquid Deus indiget vestro mendacio, ut pro illo loquamini dolos?
Will you say in God's name what is not right, and put false words into his mouth?
8 Numquid faciem eius accipitis, et pro Deo iudicare nitimini?
Will you have respect for God's person in this cause, and put yourselves forward as his supporters?
9 Aut placebit ei quem celare nihil potest? aut decipietur ut homo, vestris fraudulentiis?
Will it be good for you to be searched out by him, or have you the thought that he may be guided into error like a man?
10 Ipse vos arguet, quoniam in abscondito faciem eius accipitis.
He will certainly put you right, if you have respect for persons in secret.
11 Statim ut se commoverit, turbabit vos, et terror eius irruet super vos.
Will not his glory put you in fear, so that your hearts will be overcome before him?
12 Memoria vestra comparabitur cineri, et redigentur in lutum cervices vestrae.
Your wise sayings are only dust, and your strong places are only earth.
13 Tacete paulisper ut loquar quodcumque mihi mens suggesserit.
Keep quiet, and let me say what is in my mind, whatever may come to me.
14 Quare lacero carnes meas dentibus meis, et animam meam porto in manibus meis?
I will 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 eius arguam.
Truly, he will put an end to me; I have no hope; but I will not give way in argument before him;
16 Et ipse erit salvator meus: non enim veniet in conspectu eius omnis hypocrita.
And that will be my salvation, for an evil-doer would not come before him,
17 Audite sermonem meum, et aenigmata percipite auribus vestris.
Give ear with care to my words, and keep what I say in your minds.
18 Si fuero iudicatus, scio quod iustus inveniar.
See now, I have put my cause in order, and I am certain that I will be seen to be right.
19 Quis est qui iudicetur mecum? veniat: quare tacens consumor?
Is any one able to take up the argument against me? If so, I would keep quiet and give up my breath.
20 Duo tantum ne facias mihi, et tunc a facie tua non abscondar:
Only two things do not do to me, then I will come before your face:
21 Manum tuam longe fac a me, et formido tua non me terreat.
Take your hand far away from me; and let me not be overcome by fear of you.
22 Voca me, et ego respondebo tibi: aut certe loquar, et tu responde mihi.
Then at the sound of your voice I will give answer; or let me put forward my cause for you to give me an answer.
23 Quantas habeo iniquitates et peccata, scelera mea et delicta ostende mihi.
What is the number of my evil-doings and my sins? give me knowledge of them.
24 Cur faciem tuam abscondis, et arbitraris me inimicum tuum?
Why is your face veiled from me, as if I was numbered among your haters?
25 Contra folium, quod vento rapitur, ostendis potentiam tuam, et stipulam siccam persequeris:
Will you be hard on a leaf in flight before the wind? will you make a dry stem go more quickly on its way?
26 Scribis enim contra me amaritudines, et consumere me vis peccatis adolescentiae meae.
For you put bitter things on record against me, and send punishment on me for the sins of my early years;
27 Posuisti in nervo pedem meum, et observasti omnes semitas meas, et vestigia pedum meorum considerasti:
And you put chains on my feet, watching all my ways, and making a limit for my steps;
28 Qui quasi putredo consumendus sum, et quasi vestimentum quod comeditur a tinea.
Though a man comes to nothing like a bit of dead wood, or like a robe which has become food for the worm.
