Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

ויען איוב ויאמר׃

2 “Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

גם היום מרי שחי ידי כבדה על אנחתי׃

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

מי יתן ידעתי ואמצאהו אבוא עד תכונתו׃

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

אערכה לפניו משפט ופי אמלא תוכחות׃

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

אדעה מלים יענני ואבינה מה יאמר לי׃

6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

הברב כח יריב עמדי לא אך הוא ישם בי׃

7 There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

שם ישר נוכח עמו ואפלטה לנצח משפטי׃

8 “If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

הן קדם אהלך ואיננו ואחור ולא אבין לו׃

9 He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

שמאול בעשתו ולא אחז יעטף ימין ולא אראה׃

10 But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

כי ידע דרך עמדי בחנני כזהב אצא׃

11 My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

באשרו אחזה רגלי דרכו שמרתי ולא אט׃

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.

מצות שפתיו ולא אמיש מחקי צפנתי אמרי פיו׃

13 But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

והוא באחד ומי ישיבנו ונפשו אותה ויעש׃

14 For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

כי ישלים חקי וכהנה רבות עמו׃

15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

על כן מפניו אבהל אתבונן ואפחד ממנו׃

16 For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

ואל הרך לבי ושדי הבהילני׃

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

כי לא נצמתי מפני חשך ומפני כסה אפל׃