Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said,

約伯回答說：

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

如今我的哀告還算為悖逆； 我的責罰比我的唉哼還重。

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

惟願我能知道在哪裏可以尋見上帝， 能到他的臺前，

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

我就在他面前將我的案件陳明， 滿口辯白。

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

我必知道他回答我的言語， 明白他向我所說的話。

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

他豈用大能與我爭辯嗎？ 必不這樣！他必理會我。

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

在他那裏正直人可以與他辯論； 這樣，我必永遠脫離那審判我的。

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

只是，我往前行，他不在那裏， 往後退，也不能見他。

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

他在左邊行事，我卻不能看見， 在右邊隱藏，我也不能見他。

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

然而他知道我所行的路； 他試煉我之後，我必如精金。

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

我腳追隨他的步履； 我謹守他的道，並不偏離。

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，我未曾背棄； 我看重他口中的言語，過於我需用的飲食。

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

只是他心志已定，誰能使他轉意呢？ 他心裏所願的，就行出來。

14 For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] with him.

他向我所定的，就必做成； 這類的事他還有許多。

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

所以我在他面前驚惶； 我思念這事便懼怕他。

16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

上帝使我喪膽； 全能者使我驚惶。

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.

我的恐懼不是因為黑暗， 也不是因為幽暗蒙蔽我的臉。