Job 23

1 Så tog Job til Orde og svarede:

And Job answers and says:

2 "Også i Dag er der Trods i min Klage, tungt ligger hans Hånd på mit Suk!

“Also—today my complaint [is] bitter, My hand has been heavy because of my sighing.

3 Ak, vidste jeg Vej til at finde ham, kunde jeg nå hans Trone!

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

4 Da vilde jeg udrede Sagen for ham og fylde min Mund med Beviser,

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

5 vide, hvad Svar han gav mig, skønne, hvad han sagde til mig!

I know the words He answers me, And understand what He says to me.

6 Mon han da satte sin Almagt imod mig? Nej, visselig agted han på mig;

Does He strive with me in the abundance of power? No! Surely He puts [it] in me.

7 da gik en oprigtig i Rette med ham, og jeg bjærged for evigt min Ret.

There the upright reason with Him, And I escape from mine who is judging—forever.

8 Men går jeg mod Øst, da er han der ikke, mod Vest, jeg mærker ej til ham;

Behold, I go forward—and He is not, And backward—and I do not perceive Him.

9 jeg søger i Nord og ser ham ikke, drejer mod Syd og øjner ham ej.

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

10 Thi han kender min Vej og min Vandel, som Guld går jeg frem af hans Prøve.

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

11 Min Fod har holdt fast ved hans Spor, hans Vej har jeg fulgt, veg ikke derfra,

My foot has laid hold on His step, I have kept His way, and do not turn aside,

12 fra hans Læbers Bud er jeg ikke veget, hans Ord har jeg gemt i mit Bryst.

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

13 Men han gjorde sit Valg, hvem hindrer ham Han udfører, hvad hans Sjæl attrår.

And He [is] in one [mind], And who turns Him back? And His soul has desired—and He does [it].

14 Thi han fuldbyrder, hvad han bestemte, og af sligt har han meget for.

For He completes my portion, And many such things [are] with Him.

15 Derfor forfærdes jeg for ham og gruer ved Tanken om ham.

Therefore, I am troubled at His presence, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

16 Ja, Gud har nedbrudt mit Mod, forfærdet mig har den Almægtige;

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

17 thi jeg går til i Mørket, mit Åsyn dækkes af Mulm.

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