Job 23
1 Job prit la parole et dit:
Then Job answered and said,
2 Maintenant encore ma plainte est une révolte, Mais la souffrance étouffe mes soupirs.
Even today my complaint is rebellious. My stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh! Si je savais où le trouver, Si je pouvais arriver jusqu’à son trône,
O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!
4 Je plaiderais ma cause devant lui, Je remplirais ma bouche d’arguments,
I would set my case in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 Je connaîtrais ce qu’il peut avoir à répondre, Je verrais ce qu’il peut avoir à me dire.
I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
6 Emploierait-il toute sa force à me combattre? Ne daignerait-il pas au moins m’écouter?
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would give heed to me.
7 Ce serait un homme droit qui plaiderait avec lui, Et je serais pour toujours absous par mon juge.
There the upright might reason with him. So I should be delivered forever from my judge.
8 Mais, si je vais à l’orient, il n’y est pas; Si je vais à l’occident, je ne le trouve pas;
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive him,
9 Est-il occupé au nord, je ne puis le voir; Se cache-t-il au midi, je ne puis le découvrir.
on the left hand, when he works, but I cannot behold him. He hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
10 Il sait néanmoins quelle voie j’ai suivie; Et, s’il m’éprouvait, je sortirais pur comme l’or.
But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 Mon pied s’est attaché à ses pas; J’ai gardé sa voie, et je ne m’en suis point détourné.
My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned aside.
12 Je n’ai pas abandonné les commandements de ses lèvres; J’ai fait plier ma volonté aux paroles de sa bouche.
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.
13 Mais sa résolution est arrêtée; qui s’y opposera? Ce que son âme désire, il l’exécute.
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desires, even that he does.
14 Il accomplira donc ses desseins à mon égard, Et il en concevra bien d’autres encore.
For he performs that which is appointed for me. And many such things are with him.
15 Voilà pourquoi sa présence m’épouvante; Quand j’y pense, j’ai peur de lui.
Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 Dieu a brisé mon courage, Le Tout-Puissant m’a rempli d’effroi.
For God has made my heart faint, and the Almighty has terrified me,
17 Car ce ne sont pas les ténèbres qui m’anéantissent, Ce n’est pas l’obscurité dont je suis couvert.
because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
