Job 23

1 And Job answereth and saith: —

约伯回答说：

2 Also — to-day [is] my complaint bitter, My hand hath been heavy because of my sighing.

如今我的哀告还算为悖逆； 我的责罚比我的唉哼还重。

3 O that I had known — and I find Him, I come in unto His seat,

惟愿我能知道在哪里可以寻见 神， 能到他的台前，

4 I arrange before Him the cause, And my mouth fill [with] arguments.

我就在他面前将我的案件陈明， 满口辩白。

5 I know the words He doth answer me, And understand what He saith to me.

我必知道他回答我的言语， 明白他向我所说的话。

6 In the abundance of power doth He strive with me? No! surely He putteth [it] in me.

他岂用大能与我争辩吗？ 必不这样！他必理会我。

7 There the upright doth reason with Him, And I escape 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 Lo, forward I go — and He is not, And backward — and I perceive him not.

只是，我往前行，他不在那里， 往后退，也不能见他。

9 [To] the left in His working — and I see not, He is covered [on] the right, and I behold not.

他在左边行事，我却不能看见， 在右边隐藏，我也不能见他。

10 For He hath known the way with me, He hath tried me — as gold I go forth.

然而他知道我所行的路； 他试炼我之后，我必如精金。

11 On His step hath my foot laid hold, His way I have kept, and turn not aside,

我脚追随他的步履； 我谨守他的道，并不偏离。

12 The command of His lips, and I depart not. Above my allotted portion I have laid up The sayings of His mouth.

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 And He [is] in one [mind], And who doth turn Him back? And His soul hath desired — and He doth [it].

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 doth complete my portion, 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, from His presence I am troubled, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

所以我在他面前惊惶； 我思念这事便惧怕他。

16 And God hath made my heart soft, And the Mighty hath troubled me.

神使我丧胆； 全能者使我惊惶。

17 For I have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.

我的恐惧不是因为黑暗， 也不是因为幽暗蒙蔽我的脸。