Job 23

1 Bvt Iob answered and sayd,

约伯回答说：

2 Though my talke be this day in bitternes, and my plague greater then my groning,

如今我的哀告还算为悖逆； 我的责罚比我的唉哼还重。

3 Would God yet I knew how to finde him, I would enter vnto his place.

惟愿我能知道在哪里可以寻见 神， 能到他的台前，

4 I would pleade the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

我就在他面前将我的案件陈明， 满口辩白。

5 I would knowe the wordes, that he would answere me, and would vnderstand what he would say vnto me.

我必知道他回答我的言语， 明白他向我所说的话。

6 Would he plead against me with his great power? No, but he would put strength in me.

他岂用大能与我争辩吗？ 必不这样！他必理会我。

7 There the righteous might reason with him, so I shoulde be deliuered for euer from my Iudge.

在他那里正直人可以与他辩论； 这样，我必永远脱离那审判我的。

8 Behold, if I go to the East, he is not there: if to the West, yet I can not perceiue him:

只是，我往前行，他不在那里， 往后退，也不能见他。

9 If to the North where he worketh, yet I cannot see him: he wil hide himselfe in the South, and I cannot beholde him.

他在左边行事，我却不能看见， 在右边隐藏，我也不能见他。

10 But he knoweth my way, and trieth mee, and I shall come forth like the gold.

然而他知道我所行的路； 他试炼我之后，我必如精金。

11 My foote hath followed his steps: his way haue I kept, and haue not declined.

我脚追随他的步履； 我谨守他的道，并不偏离。

12 Neyther haue I departed from the commandement of his lippes, and I haue esteemed the words of his mouth more then mine appointed foode.

他嘴唇的命令，我未曾背弃； 我看重他口中的言语，过于我需用的饮食。

13 Yet he is in one minde, and who can turne him? yea, he doeth what his minde desireth.

只是他心志已定，谁能使他转意呢？ 他心里所愿的，就行出来。

14 For he will performe that, which is decreed of me, and many such things are with him.

他向我所定的，就必做成； 这类的事他还有许多。

15 Therefore I am troubled at his presence, and in considering it, I am afraid of him.

所以我在他面前惊惶； 我思念这事便惧怕他。

16 For God hath softened mine heart, and the Almightie hath troubled me.

神使我丧胆； 全能者使我惊惶。

17 For I am not cut off in darknesse, but he hath hid the darkenesse from my face.

我的恐惧不是因为黑暗， 也不是因为幽暗蒙蔽我的脸。