約伯記 23

1 約伯回答說：

Then Job answered and said:

2 直到今天，我還是痛苦的哀訴，他沉重的手掌，使我不得不呻吟。

Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of my groaning.

3 惟願我知道怎樣能尋到天主，能達到他的寶座前，

Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat!

4 好將我的案情向他陳訴，因為我口中滿了證詞!

I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 唯願我知道他答覆我的話，明瞭他向我說什麼!

I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me.

6 他豈能靠強力同我爭辯﹖決不，他必留神聽我。

Would He contend with me in His great power? Nay; but He would give heed unto me.

7 如此，他會分辨出同他爭論的是個正直人，也許我可永久不再受裁判!

There the upright might reason with Him; so should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.

8 可是我往東行，他不在那裏；我往西行，也找不到他；

Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

9 往北找，也看不見他；往南去，也見不到他。

On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

10 他洞悉我所有的行動。他若試驗我，我必如純金出現。

For He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 我的腳緊隨著他的足跡，謹守他的道，總沒有偏離。

My foot hath held fast to His steps, His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

12 他所發的命令，我總沒有違背；他口中的訓言，我常保存在心中。

I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured up the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

13 但他所決定的，誰能變更﹖他所樂意的，必要實行。

But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.

14 他為我注定的，必要完成；類似的事，還有很多。

For He will perform that which is appointed for me; and many such things are with Him.

15 因此，為了他，我很驚慌，一想起來就害怕。

Therefore am I affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

16 天主使我的心沮喪，全能者使我恐怖。

Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted me;

17 因為我雖面臨黑暗，幽暗雖遮蓋我的面，我仍不喪氣。

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did He cover the thick darkness from my face.