Ecce omnia hæc vidit oculus meus, et audivit auris mea, et intellexi singula.
Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.
Secundum scientiam vestram et ego novi : nec inferior vestri sum.
According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.
Sed tamen ad Omnipotentem loquar, et disputare cum Deo cupio :
But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
prius vos ostendens fabricatores mendacii, et cultores perversorum dogmatum.
Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.
Atque utinam taceretis, ut putaremini esse sapientes.
And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.
Audite ergo correptionem meam, et judicium labiorum meorum attendite.
Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
Numquid Deus indiget vestro mendacio, ut pro illo loquamini dolos ?
Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?
numquid faciem ejus accipitis, et pro Deo judicare nitimini ?
Do you accept this person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?
aut placebit ei quem celare nihil potest ? aut decipietur, ut homo, vestris fraudulentiis ?
Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?
Ipse vos arguet, quoniam in abscondito faciem ejus accipitis.
He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.
Statim ut se commoverit, turbabit vos, et terror ejus irruet super vos.
As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.
Memoria vestra comparabitur cineri, et redigentur in lutum cervices vestræ.
Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.
Tacete paulisper, ut loquar quodcumque mihi mens suggesserit.
Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.
Quare lacero carnes meas dentibus meis, et animam meam porto in manibus meis ?
Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
Etiam si occiderit me, in ipso sperabo : verumtamen vias meas in conspectu ejus arguam.
Although he should kill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.
Et ipse erit salvator meus : non enim veniet in conspectu ejus omnis hypocrita.
And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.
Audite sermonem meum, et ænigmata percipite auribus vestris.
Hear ye my speech, and receive with your ears hidden truths.
Si fuero judicatus, scio quod justus inveniar.
If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
Quis est qui judicetur mecum ? veniat : quare tacens consumor ?
Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?
Duo tantum ne facias mihi, et tunc a facie tua non abscondar :
Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:
manum tuam longe fac a me, et formido tua non me terreat.
Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.
Voca me, et ego respondebo tibi : aut certe loquar, et tu responde mihi.
Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.
Quantas habeo iniquitates et peccata ? scelera mea et delicta ostende mihi.
How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offenses.
Cur faciem tuam abscondis, et arbitraris me inimicum tuum ?
Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?
Contra folium, quod vento rapitur, ostendis potentiam tuam, et stipulam siccam persequeris :
Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.
scribis enim contra me amaritudines, et consumere me vis peccatis adolescentiæ meæ.
For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth.
Posuisti in nervo pedem meum, et observasti omnes semitas meas, et vestigia pedum meorum considerasti :
Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet:
qui quasi putredo consumendus sum, et quasi vestimentum quod comeditur a tinea.
Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is motheaten.