Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said,

約伯回答說：

2 Even today is my complaint rebellious: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

直到今天，我還是痛苦的哀訴，他沉重的手掌，使我不得不呻吟。

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

惟願我知道怎樣能尋到天主，能達到他的寶座前，

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

好將我的案情向他陳訴，因為我口中滿了證詞!

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

唯願我知道他答覆我的話，明瞭他向我說什麼!

6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

他豈能靠強力同我爭辯﹖決不，他必留神聽我。

7 There the upright might reason with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

如此，他會分辨出同他爭論的是個正直人，也許我可永久不再受裁判!

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

可是我往東行，他不在那裏；我往西行，也找不到他；

9 On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

往北找，也看不見他；往南去，也見不到他。

10 But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

他洞悉我所有的行動。他若試驗我，我必如純金出現。

11 My foot hath held fast to his steps; his way have I kept, and turned not aside.

我的腳緊隨著他的足跡，謹守他的道，總沒有偏離。

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.

他所發的命令，我總沒有違背；他口中的訓言，我常保存在心中。

13 But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

但他所決定的，誰能變更﹖他所樂意的，必要實行。

14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

他為我注定的，必要完成；類似的事，還有很多。

15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence; when I consider, I am afraid of him.

因此，為了他，我很驚慌，一想起來就害怕。

16 For God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath troubled me:

天主使我的心沮喪，全能者使我恐怖。

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

因為我雖面臨黑暗，幽暗雖遮蓋我的面，我仍不喪氣。