Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said,

约伯回答说：

2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

如今我的哀告还算为悖逆； 我的责罚比我的唉哼还重。

3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!

惟愿我能知道在哪里可以寻见 神， 能到他的台前，

4 I would order my 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 know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

我必知道他回答我的言语， 明白他向我所说的话。

6 Will 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 dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

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, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

只是，我往前行，他不在那里， 往后退，也不能见他。

9 On the left hand, where he does work, but I cannot behold him: he hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see 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 knows the way that I take: when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

然而他知道我所行的路； 他试炼我之后，我必如精金。

11 My foot has held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

我脚追随他的步履； 我谨守他的道，并不偏离。

12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

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 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desires, even that he does.

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 performs the thing that is appointed for 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 am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, 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 makes my heart soft, and the Almighty troubles me:

神使我丧胆； 全能者使我惊惶。

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither has he covered the darkness 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。