< Job 23 >
Da tok Job til orde og sa:
2 “Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
Ennu idag gjelder min klage for å være gjenstridighet; min hånd hviler dog tungt på mitt sukk.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
Bare jeg visste å finne ham og kunde komme frem til hans trone!
4 I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
Jeg skulde legge min sak frem for hans åsyn og fylle min munn med beviser.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.
Jeg skulde få vite de ord han vilde svare mig, og merke mig hvad han vilde si til mig.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
Skulde han da med full kraft stride mot mig? Mon ikke just han skulde akte på mine ord?
7 There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.
Da skulde en rettskaffen mann gå i rette med ham, og jeg skulde slippe fra min dommer for all tid.
8 “If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I cannot find him.
Men går jeg mot øst, så er han ikke der; går jeg mot vest, så blir jeg ikke var ham;
9 He works to the north, but I cannot see him. He turns south, but I cannot catch a glimpse of him.
er han virksom i nord, så ser jeg ham ikke; går han mot syd, så øiner jeg ham ikke.
10 But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.
For han kjenner den vei jeg holder mig til; prøvde han mig, så skulde jeg gå frem av prøven som gullet.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.
Min fot holdt sig i hans spor; jeg fulgte hans vei og bøide ikke av.
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.
Fra hans lebers bud vek jeg ikke; fremfor min egen lov aktet jeg på hans munns ord.
13 But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.
Men han er den eneste, og hvem hindrer ham? Hvad hans sjel lyster, det gjør han.
14 For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.
For han fullbyrder det han har fastsatt for mig, og av sådant er det meget hos ham.
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.
Derfor reddes jeg for ham; tenker jeg på det, så bever jeg for ham.
16 For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.
Og Gud har knekket mitt mot, og den Allmektige har forferdet mig,
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
fordi jeg ikke blev rykket bort før mørket kom, og fordi han ikke skjulte ulykkens natt for mig.