約伯記 23

1 約伯回答說：

Then 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 even to his seat!

4 我就在他面前將我的案件陳明， 滿口辯白。

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

5 我必知道他回答我的言語， 明白他向我所說的話。

I would know the words which 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。

Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in 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 the righteous might dispute with him; so should I 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。

Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot 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 cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

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: when he hath tried 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 his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

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 esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

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, even that he doeth.

14 他向我所定的，就必做成； 這類的事他還有許多。

For he performeth the thing that 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: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

16 上帝使我喪膽； 全能者使我驚惶。

For El maketh 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 covered the darkness from my face.