约伯记 23

1 约伯回答说：

Then Job answered 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。

Still is my complaint bitter; But my wound is deeper than my groaning.

3 惟愿我能知道在哪里可以寻见 神， 能到他的台前，

O that I knew where I might find him! That I might go before his throne!

4 我就在他面前将我的案件陈明， 满口辩白。

I would order my cause before him, And fill my mouth with arguments;

5 我必知道他回答我的言语， 明白他向我所说的话。

I should know what he would answer me, And understand 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 contend with me with his mighty power? No! he would have regard 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。

Then would an upright man contend with him, And I should be fully acquitted by my judge.

8 只是，我往前行，他不在那里， 往后退，也不能见他。

But, behold, I go eastward, and he is not there; And westward, but I cannot perceive 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。

To the north, where he worketh, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the south, and I cannot see him.

10 然而他知道我所行的路； 他试炼我之后，我必如精金。

But he knoweth the way which is in my heart; When he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 我脚追随他的步履； 我谨守他的道，并不偏离。

My feet have trodden in his steps; His way I have kept, and have not turned aside from it.

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 not neglected the precepts of his lips; Above my own law have I esteemed the words of his mouth.

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 he is of one mind, and who can turn him? And what he desireth, that he doeth.

14 他向我所定的，就必做成； 这类的事他还有许多。

He performeth that which is appointed for me; And many such things are in his mind!

15 所以我在他面前惊惶； 我思念这事便惧怕他。

Therefore I am in terror on account of him; When I consider, I am afraid of him.

16 神使我丧胆； 全能者使我惊惶。

For God maketh my heart faint; Yea, the Almighty terrifieth me;

17 我的恐惧不是因为黑暗， 也不是因为幽暗蒙蔽我的脸。

Because I was not taken away before darkness came, And he hath not hidden darkness from mine eyes.