Job 23

1 Then Job answered:

約伯回答說：

2 “Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

如今我的哀告還算為悖逆； 我的責罰比我的唉哼還重。

3 If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.

惟願我能知道在哪裏可以尋見上帝， 能到他的臺前，

4 I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

我就在他面前將我的案件陳明， 滿口辯白。

5 I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.

我必知道他回答我的言語， 明白他向我所說的話。

6 Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

他豈用大能與我爭辯嗎？ 必不這樣！他必理會我。

7 Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

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。

8 If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

只是，我往前行，他不在那裏， 往後退，也不能見他。

9 When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

他在左邊行事，我卻不能看見， 在右邊隱藏，我也不能見他。

10 Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

然而他知道我所行的路； 他試煉我之後，我必如精金。

11 My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.

我腳追隨他的步履； 我謹守他的道，並不偏離。

12 I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

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。

13 But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.

只是他心志已定，誰能使他轉意呢？ 他心裏所願的，就行出來。

14 For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.

他向我所定的，就必做成； 這類的事他還有許多。

15 Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.

所以我在他面前驚惶； 我思念這事便懼怕他。

16 God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

上帝使我喪膽； 全能者使我驚惶。

17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.

我的恐懼不是因為黑暗， 也不是因為幽暗蒙蔽我的臉。