Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said,
Job reprit la parole et dit:
2 Even today my complaint is rebellious. My stroke is heavier than my groaning.
Aujourd’hui encore ma plainte est traitée de révolte; pourtant ma main se fatigue à comprimer mes soupirs.
3 O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!
Que ne m’est-il donné de savoir où le trouver! Je voudrais pénétrer jusqu’à son siège.
4 I would set my case in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
J’Exposerais ma cause devant lui, ayant la bouche pleine d’arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
Je connaîtrais les réponses qu’il m’opposerait et me rendrais compte de ce qu’il me dirait.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would give heed to me.
Jetterait-il le poids de sa force dans sa discussion avec moi? Non, mais il me prêterait quelque attention.
7 There the upright might reason with him. So I should be delivered forever from my judge.
C’Est un homme droit qui se trouverait alors en face de lui, et pour toujours je serais quitte envers mon juge.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive him,
Mais quoi! Je me dirige vers l’Orient: il n’y est pas! vers l’Occident, je ne le remarque point!
9 on the left hand, when he works, but I cannot behold him. He hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
Exerce-t-il son action au Nord? Je ne le vois pas; se retire-t-il au Sud? Je ne l’aperçois pas.
10 But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Car il connaît la conduite que je mène: s’il me jetait au creuset, j’en sortirais pur comme l’or.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned aside.
Mon pied s’est attaché fidèlement à ses traces; j’ai suivi ses voies sans dévier.
12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips, I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Des préceptes de ses lèvres je ne me suis pas écarté; plus qu’à mes propres inspirations, j’ai obéi aux paroles de sa bouche.
13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desires, even that he does.
Mais lui, il demeure immuable: qui pourrait le faire changer d’avis? Ce qui lui plaît, il l’accomplit.
14 For he performs that which is appointed for me. And many such things are with him.
Assurément, il exécutera jusqu’au bout ce qu’il a décrété contre moi: il nourrit encore beaucoup de desseins semblables.
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.
C’Est pourquoi je me sens troublé devant sa face; en y réfléchissant, j’ai peur de lui.
16 For God has made my heart faint, and the Almighty has terrified me,
Dieu a découragé mon cœur, le Tout-Puissant m’a rempli d’épouvante,
17 because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
puisque d’une part, il ne m’a pas anéanti par les ténèbres qui m’accablent, et que d’autre part il n’a pas voulu me mettre à l’abri de cette sombre nuit.
