< Job 13 >

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

< Job 13 >