约伯记 23

1 约伯回答说：

And Job made answer and said,

2 如今我的哀告还算为悖逆； 我的责罚比我的唉哼还重。

Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

3 惟愿我能知道在哪里可以寻见 神， 能到他的台前，

If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!

4 我就在他面前将我的案件陈明， 满口辩白。

I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

5 我必知道他回答我的言语， 明白他向我所说的话。

I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.

6 他岂用大能与我争辩吗？ 必不这样！他必理会我。

Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.

7 在他那里正直人可以与他辩论； 这样，我必永远脱离那审判我的。

There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.

8 只是，我往前行，他不在那里， 往后退，也不能见他。

See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;

9 他在左边行事，我却不能看见， 在右边隐藏，我也不能见他。

I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him.

10 然而他知道我所行的路； 他试炼我之后，我必如精金。

For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

11 我脚追随他的步履； 我谨守他的道，并不偏离。

My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

12 他嘴唇的命令，我未曾背弃； 我看重他口中的言语，过于我需用的饮食。

I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.

13 只是他心志已定，谁能使他转意呢？ 他心里所愿的，就行出来。

But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.

14 他向我所定的，就必做成； 这类的事他还有许多。

For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs.

15 所以我在他面前惊惶； 我思念这事便惧怕他。

For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

16 神使我丧胆； 全能者使我惊惶。

For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

17 我的恐惧不是因为黑暗， 也不是因为幽暗蒙蔽我的脸。

For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.