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.

Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of my groaning.

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

Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat!

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

I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

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

I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me.

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

Would He contend with me in His great power? Nay; but He would give heed unto me.

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

There the upright might reason with Him; so should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.

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

Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

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

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

For He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

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

My foot hath held fast to His steps, His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

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

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

But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.

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

For He will perform that which is appointed for me; and many such things are with Him.

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

Therefore am I affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

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

Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted me;

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

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did He cover the thick darkness from my face.