約伯記 23

1 約伯回答說：

And Job answereth and saith: —

2 如今我的哀告還算為悖逆； 我的責罰比我的唉哼還重。

Also — to-day [is] my complaint bitter, My hand hath been heavy because of my sighing.

3 惟願我能知道在哪裏可以尋見上帝， 能到他的臺前，

O that I had known — and I find Him, I come in unto His seat,

4 我就在他面前將我的案件陳明， 滿口辯白。

I arrange before Him the cause, And my mouth fill [with] arguments.

5 我必知道他回答我的言語， 明白他向我所說的話。

I know the words He doth answer me, And understand what He saith to me.

6 他豈用大能與我爭辯嗎？ 必不這樣！他必理會我。

In the abundance of power doth He strive with me? No! surely He putteth [it] 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 upright doth reason with Him, And I escape 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, forward I go — and He is not, And backward — and I perceive him not.

9 他在左邊行事，我卻不能看見， 在右邊隱藏，我也不能見他。

[To] the left in His working — and I see not, He is covered [on] the right, and I behold not.

10 然而他知道我所行的路； 他試煉我之後，我必如精金。

For He hath known the way with me, He hath tried me — as gold I go forth.

11 我腳追隨他的步履； 我謹守他的道，並不偏離。

On His step hath my foot laid hold, His way I have kept, and turn not 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。

The command of His lips, and I depart not. Above my allotted portion I have laid up The sayings of His mouth.

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。

And He [is] in one [mind], And who doth turn Him back? And His soul hath desired — and He doth [it].

14 他向我所定的，就必做成； 這類的事他還有許多。

For He doth complete my portion, 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, from His presence I am troubled, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

16 上帝使我喪膽； 全能者使我驚惶。

And God hath made my heart soft, And the Mighty hath troubled me.

17 我的恐懼不是因為黑暗， 也不是因為幽暗蒙蔽我的臉。

For I have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.