1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

1 Audi igitur, Job, eloquia mea,
et omnes sermones meos ausculta.

2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

2 Ecce aperui os meum:
loquatur lingua mea in faucibus meis.

3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

3 Simplici corde meo sermones mei,
et sententiam puram labia mea loquentur.

4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

4 Spiritus Dei fecit me,
et spiraculum Omnipotentis vivificavit me.

5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

5 Si potes, responde mihi,
et adversus faciem meam consiste.

6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

6 Ecce, et me sicut et te fecit Deus,
et de eodem luto ego quoque formatus sum.

7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

7 Verumtamen miraculum meum non te terreat,
et eloquentia mea non sit tibi gravis.

8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

8 Dixisti ergo in auribus meis,
et vocem verborum tuorum audivi:

9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

9 Mundus sum ego, et absque delicto:
immaculatus, et non est iniquitas in me.

10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

10 Quia querelas in me reperit,
ideo arbitratus est me inimicum sibi.

11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

11 Posuit in nervo pedes meos;
custodivit omnes semitas meas.

12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

12 Hoc est ergo in quo non es justificatus:
respondebo tibi, quia major sit Deus homine.

13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

13 Adversus eum contendis,
quod non ad omnia verba responderit tibi?

14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

14 Semel loquitur Deus,
et secundo idipsum non repetit.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

15 Per somnium, in visione nocturna,
quando irruit sopor super homines,
et dormiunt in lectulo,

16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

16 tunc aperit aures virorum,
et erudiens eos instruit disciplina,

17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

17 ut avertat hominem ab his quæ facit,
et liberet eum de superbia,

18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

18 eruens animam ejus a corruptione,
et vitam illius ut non transeat in gladium.

19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

19 Increpat quoque per dolorem in lectulo,
et omnia ossa ejus marcescere facit.

20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

20 Abominabilis ei fit in vita sua panis,
et animæ illius cibus ante desiderabilis.

21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

21 Tabescet caro ejus,
et ossa, quæ tecta fuerant, nudabuntur.

22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

22 Appropinquavit corruptioni anima ejus,
et vita illius mortiferis.

23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

23 Si fuerit pro eo angelus loquens,
unus de millibus, ut annuntiet hominis æquitatem,

24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

24 miserebitur ejus, et dicet:
Libera eum, ut non descendat in corruptionem:
inveni in quo ei propitier.

25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:

25 Consumpta est caro ejus a suppliciis:
revertatur ad dies adolescentiæ suæ.

26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.

26 Deprecabitur Deum, et placabilis ei erit:
et videbit faciem ejus in jubilo,
et reddet homini justitiam suam.

27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

27 Respiciet homines, et dicet: Peccavi,
et vere deliqui, et ut eram dignus, non recepi.

28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

28 Liberavit animam suam, ne pergeret in interitum,
sed vivens lucem videret.

29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

29 Ecce hæc omnia operatur Deus
tribus vicibus per singulos,

30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

30 ut revocet animas eorum a corruptione,
et illuminet luce viventium.

31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

31 Attende, Job, et audi me:
et tace, dum ego loquor.

32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

32 Si autem habes quod loquaris, responde mihi:
loquere, volo enim te apparere justum.

33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

33 Quod si non habes, audi me:
tace, et docebo te sapientiam.