Job 23

1 respondens autem Iob dixit

Then Job answered,

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

“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite 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 set my cause in order 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 tell me.

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

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

7 proponat aequitatem 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 intellegam eum

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For he performs that which is appointed for me. 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. The Almighty has terrified 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.