Job 23
1 Respondens autem Iob, ait:
Then Job answered and said,
2 Nunc quoque in amaritudine est sermo meus, et manus plagæ meæ aggravata est super gemitum meum.
Even today my complaint is rebellious. My stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Quis mihi tribuat ut cognoscam et inveniam illum, et veniam usque ad solium eius?
O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!
4 Ponam coram eo iudicium, et os meum replebo increpationibus,
I would set my case in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 Ut sciam verba, quæ mihi respondeat, et intelligam quid loquatur mihi.
I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
6 Nolo multa fortitudine contendat mecum, nec magnitudinis suæ mole me premat.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would give heed to me.
7 Proponat æquitatem contra me, et perveniat ad victoriam iudicium meum.
There the upright might reason with him. So I should be delivered forever from my judge.
8 Si ad Orientem iero, non apparet: si ad Occidentem, non intelligam eum.
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive him,
9 Si ad sinistram, quid agam? non apprehendam eum: si me vertam ad dexteram, non videbo illum.
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 Ipse vero scit viam meam, et probavit me quasi aurum, quod per ignem transit:
But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 Vestigia eius secutus est pes meus, viam eius custodivi, et non declinavi ex ea.
My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned aside.
12 A mandatis labiorum eius non recessi, et in sinu meo abscondi verba oris eius.
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 Ipse enim solus est, et nemo avertere potest cogitationem eius: et anima eius quodcumque voluit, hoc fecit.
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desires, even that he does.
14 Cum expleverit in me voluntatem suam, et alia multa similia præsto sunt ei.
For he performs that which is appointed for me. And many such things are with him.
15 Et idcirco a facie eius turbatus sum, et considerans eum, timore sollicitor.
Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 Deus mollivit cor meum, et Omnipotens conturbavit me.
For God has made my heart faint, and the Almighty has terrified me,
17 Non enim perii propter imminentes tenebras, nec faciem meam operuit caligo.
because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
