< Job 23 >
Respondens autem Job, ait:
2 "Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
Nunc quoque in amaritudine est sermo meus, et manus plagæ meæ aggravata est super gemitum meum.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him. That I might come even to his seat.
Quis mihi tribuat ut cognoscam et inveniam illum, et veniam usque ad solium ejus?
4 I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
Ponam coram eo judicium, et os meum replebo increpationibus:
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.
ut sciam verba quæ mihi respondeat, et intelligam quid loquatur mihi.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
Nolo multa fortitudine contendat mecum, nec magnitudinis suæ mole me premat.
7 There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.
Proponat æquitatem contra me, et perveniat ad victoriam judicium meum.
8 "If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can't find him;
Si ad orientem iero, non apparet; si ad occidentem, non intelligam eum.
9 He works to the north, but I can't see him. He turns south, but I can't catch a glimpse of him.
Si ad sinistram, quid agam? non apprehendam eum; si me vertam ad dexteram, non videbo illum.
10 But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth like gold.
Ipse vero scit viam meam, et probavit me quasi aurum quod per ignem transit.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned aside.
Vestigia ejus secutus est pes meus: viam ejus custodivi, et non declinavi ex ea.
12 I haven't gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
A mandatis labiorum ejus non recessi, et in sinu meo abscondi verba oris ejus.
13 But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.
Ipse enim solus est, et nemo avertere potest cogitationem ejus: et anima ejus quodcumque voluit, hoc fecit.
14 For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.
Cum expleverit in me voluntatem suam, et alia multa similia præsto sunt ei.
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.
Et idcirco a facie ejus turbatus sum, et considerans eum, timore sollicitor.
16 For God has made my heart faint. Shaddai has terrified me.
Deus mollivit cor meum, et Omnipotens conturbavit me.
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
Non enim perii propter imminentes tenebras, nec faciem meam operuit caligo.