約伯記 23

1 約伯回答說：

And Job answered and said,

2 如今我的哀告還算為悖逆； 我的責罰比我的唉哼還重。

Even to-day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3 惟願我能知道在哪裏可以尋見上帝， 能到他的臺前，

Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come to his seat!

4 我就在他面前將我的案件陳明， 滿口辯白。

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

5 我必知道他回答我的言語， 明白他向我所說的話。

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

6 他豈用大能與我爭辯嗎？ 必不這樣！他必理會我。

Would he plead against me with [his] great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

7 在他那裏正直人可以與他辯論； 這樣，我必永遠脫離那審判我的。

There would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered for ever from my judge.

8 只是，我往前行，他不在那裏， 往後退，也不能見他。

Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive him;

9 他在左邊行事，我卻不能看見， 在右邊隱藏，我也不能見他。

On the left hand, where he doth work, but I behold [him] not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see [him] not.

10 然而他知道我所行的路； 他試煉我之後，我必如精金。

But he knoweth the way that I take; he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 我腳追隨他的步履； 我謹守他的道，並不偏離。

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

12 他嘴唇的命令，我未曾背棄； 我看重他口中的言語，過於我需用的飲食。

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have laid up the words of his mouth more than the purpose of my own heart.

13 只是他心志已定，誰能使他轉意呢？ 他心裏所願的，就行出來。

But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, that will he do.

14 他向我所定的，就必做成； 這類的事他還有許多。

For he will perform [what] is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.

15 所以我在他面前驚惶； 我思念這事便懼怕他。

Therefore am I troubled at his presence; I consider, and I am afraid of him.

16 上帝使我喪膽； 全能者使我驚惶。

For God hath made my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me;

17 我的恐懼不是因為黑暗， 也不是因為幽暗蒙蔽我的臉。

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.