Job 23

1 respondens autem Iob dixit

Then Job answered, and said:

2 nunc quoque in amaritudine est sermo meus et manus plagae meae adgravata est super gemitum meum

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

3 quis mihi tribuat ut cognoscam et inveniam illum et veniam usque ad solium eius

Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?

4 ponam coram eo iudicium et os meum replebo increpationibus

I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

5 ut sciam verba quae mihi respondeat et intellegam quid loquatur mihi

That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

6 nolo multa fortitudine contendat mecum nec magnitudinis suae mole me premat

I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

7 proponat aequitatem contra me et perveniat ad victoriam iudicium meum

Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

8 si ad orientem iero non apparet si ad occidentem non intellegam eum

But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.

9 si ad sinistram quid agat non adprehendam eum si me vertam ad dextram non videbo illum

If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

10 ipse vero scit viam meam et probavit me quasi aurum quod per ignem transit

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

11 vestigia eius secutus est pes meus viam eius custodivi et non declinavi ex ea

My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

12 a mandatis labiorum eius non recessi et in sinu meo abscondi verba oris eius

I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

13 ipse enim solus est et nemo avertere potest cogitationem eius et anima eius quodcumque voluerit hoc facit

For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

14 cum expleverit in me voluntatem suam et alia multa similia praesto sunt ei

And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

15 et idcirco a facie eius turbatus sum et considerans eum timore sollicitor

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

16 Deus mollivit cor meum et Omnipotens conturbavit me

God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

17 non enim perii propter inminentes tenebras nec faciem meam operuit caligo

For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.