איוב 23

1 ויען איוב ויאמר׃

Then Job answered,

2 גם היום מרי שחי ידי כבדה על אנחתי׃

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

3 מי יתן ידעתי ואמצאהו אבוא עד תכונתו׃

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

4 אערכה לפניו משפט ופי אמלא תוכחות׃

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

5 אדעה מלים יענני ואבינה מה יאמר לי׃

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

6 הברב כח יריב עמדי לא אך הוא ישם בי׃

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

7 שם ישר נוכח עמו ואפלטה לנצח משפטי׃

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

8 הן קדם אהלך ואיננו ואחור ולא אבין לו׃

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

9 שמאול בעשתו ולא אחז יעטף ימין ולא אראה׃

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

10 כי ידע דרך עמדי בחנני כזהב אצא׃

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

11 באשרו אחזה רגלי דרכו שמרתי ולא אט׃

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

12 מצות שפתיו ולא אמיש מחקי צפנתי אמרי פיו׃

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.

13 והוא באחד ומי ישיבנו ונפשו אותה ויעש׃

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

14 כי ישלים חקי וכהנה רבות עמו׃

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

15 על כן מפניו אבהל אתבונן ואפחד ממנו׃

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

16 ואל הרך לבי ושדי הבהילני׃

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

17 כי לא נצמתי מפני חשך ומפני כסה אפל׃

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