約伯記 23

1 約伯回答說：

Then Job answered,

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 today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite 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 set my cause in order 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 tell 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 the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to 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 I should be delivered forever from my judge.

8 可是我往東行，他不在那裏；我往西行，也找不到他；

“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

9 往北找，也看不見他；往南去，也見不到他。

He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

10 他洞悉我所有的行動。他若試驗我，我必如純金出現。

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

11 我的腳緊隨著他的足跡，謹守他的道，總沒有偏離。

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

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 haven’t 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 stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

14 他為我注定的，必要完成；類似的事，還有很多。

For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

15 因此，為了他，我很驚慌，一想起來就害怕。

Therefore I am terrified 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。

For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified 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.