Joba 23

1 Dia namaly Joba ka nanao hoe:

Then Job answered, and said:

2 Mbola atao ho fikomianao ihany ny fitarainako; Ny tanana mamely ahy dia mitambesatra amin’ ny fisentoako.

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

3 Enga anie ka ho fantatro izay hahitako Azy ka ho tonga any amin’ ny fitoerany aza!

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

4 Dia handahatra ny teniko eo anatrehany aho. Ka hofenoiko ny teny alahatro ny vavako;

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

5 Ary hahalala izay teny havaliny ahy aho sy hamantatra izay holazainy amiko.

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

6 Hery lehibe va no handaharany teny amiko? Tsia, fa Izy indrindra no hihaino ahy

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

7 Fa amin’ izany dia olona marina no ho nifandahatra taminy; Ka dia ho nanan-drariny mihitsy aho tamin’ ny Mpitsara ahy.

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

8 Indro, miantsinanana aho, fa tsy any Izy; Ary miankandrefana aho, fa tsy hitako Izy;

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

9 Mianavaratra amin’ izay iasany aho, fa tsy tazako Izy; Mivily any atsimo Izy, ka tsy hitako.

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 Fa mahalala ny lalana falehako Izy; Raha hizahany toetra aho, dia hivoaka tahaka ny volamena.

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

11 Ny tongotro nifikitra tamin’ ny lalany; Eny, ny lalany no nizorako tsara, ka tsy nivily aho.

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

12 Ny didin’ ny molony tsy mba nialako; Ny tenin’ ny vavany noraketiko mihoatra noho ny faniriako.

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

13 Nefa tsy miova saina Izy, iza no mahasakana Azy? Fa na inona na inona irin’ ny fanahiny dia ataony.

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

14 Eny, manatanteraka izay voatendry ho ahy Izy; Ary zavatra maro toy izany no ao aminy;

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

15 Roa Izany no mampangovitra ahy eo anatrehany; Raha misaintsaina izany aho, dia matahotra Azy.

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

16 Fa Andriamanitra no mandrerakany foko, ary ny Tsitoha no mampangovitra ahy;

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

17 Fa tsy ny fahamaizinana no maharesy ahy, na ny maizim-pito izay manarona ny tavako.

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