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
Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of my groaning.
3 quis mihi tribuat ut cognoscam et inveniam illum et veniam usque ad solium eius
Oh 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 order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 ut sciam verba quae mihi respondeat et intellegam quid loquatur mihi
I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me.
6 nolo multa fortitudine contendat mecum nec magnitudinis suae mole me premat
Would He contend with me in His great power? Nay; but He would give heed unto me.
7 proponat aequitatem contra me et perveniat ad victoriam iudicium meum
There the upright might reason with Him; so should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.
8 si ad orientem iero non apparet si ad occidentem non intellegam eum
Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him;
9 si ad sinistram quid agat non adprehendam eum si me vertam ad dextram non videbo illum
On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.
10 ipse vero scit viam meam et probavit me quasi aurum quod per ignem transit
For He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath 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 hath held fast to His steps, His way have I kept, and turned not 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 voluerit hoc facit
But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.
14 cum expleverit in me voluntatem suam et alia multa similia praesto sunt ei
For He will perform 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 am I affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.
16 Deus mollivit cor meum et Omnipotens conturbavit me
Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted me;
17 non enim perii propter inminentes tenebras nec faciem meam operuit caligo
Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did He cover the thick darkness from my face.
