Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said:
Job prit la parole et dit:
2 Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of my groaning.
Maintenant encore ma plainte est une révolte, Mais la souffrance étouffe mes soupirs.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat!
Oh! Si je savais où le trouver, Si je pouvais arriver jusqu’à son trône,
4 I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
Je plaiderais ma cause devant lui, Je remplirais ma bouche d’arguments,
5 I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me.
Je connaîtrais ce qu’il peut avoir à répondre, Je verrais ce qu’il peut avoir à me dire.
6 Would He contend with me in His great power? Nay; but He would give heed unto me.
Emploierait-il toute sa force à me combattre? Ne daignerait-il pas au moins m’écouter?
7 There the upright might reason with Him; so should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.
Ce serait un homme droit qui plaiderait avec lui, Et je serais pour toujours absous par mon juge.
8 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him;
Mais, si je vais à l’orient, il n’y est pas; Si je vais à l’occident, je ne le trouve pas;
9 On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.
Est-il occupé au nord, je ne puis le voir; Se cache-t-il au midi, je ne puis le découvrir.
10 For He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Il sait néanmoins quelle voie j’ai suivie; Et, s’il m’éprouvait, je sortirais pur comme l’or.
11 My foot hath held fast to His steps, His way have I kept, and turned not aside.
Mon pied s’est attaché à ses pas; J’ai gardé sa voie, et je ne m’en suis point détourné.
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.
Je n’ai pas abandonné les commandements de ses lèvres; J’ai fait plier ma volonté aux paroles de sa bouche.
13 But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.
Mais sa résolution est arrêtée; qui s’y opposera? Ce que son âme désire, il l’exécute.
14 For He will perform that which is appointed for me; and many such things are with Him.
Il accomplira donc ses desseins à mon égard, Et il en concevra bien d’autres encore.
15 Therefore am I affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.
Voilà pourquoi sa présence m’épouvante; Quand j’y pense, j’ai peur de lui.
16 Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted me;
Dieu a brisé mon courage, Le Tout-Puissant m’a rempli d’effroi.
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did He cover the thick darkness from my face.
Car ce ne sont pas les ténèbres qui m’anéantissent, Ce n’est pas l’obscurité dont je suis couvert.
