Hopa 23

1 Katahi ka whakautua e Hopa, i mea ia,

Then Job answered and said,

2 I tenei ra nei ano e amuamu ana taku tangi: nui noa atu i taku aue te taimaha o te patunga i ahau.

Even today my complaint is rebellious. My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3 Aue, me i mohio ahau ki te wahi e kite ai ahau i a ia, kia tae rawa atu ai ahau ki tona nohoanga!

O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!

4 Ka ata whakatakotoria e ahau aku korero ki tona aroaro, ka whakakiia hoki toku mangai ki nga kupu tautohetohe.

I would set my case in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 Ka mohio ahau ki nga kupu e whakahokia mai e ia ki ahau, ka marama hoki tana e mea ai ki ahau.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

6 E whakaputaina mai ranei tona kaha nui ina tautohetohe ki ahau? Kahore; engari ka whai whakaaro ia ki ahau.

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

7 Ko reira te tangata tika tautohetohe ai ki a ia: a ora tonu ake ahau i toku kaiwhakawa ake tonu atu.

There the upright might reason with him. So I should be delivered forever from my judge.

8 Nana, haere ana ahau ki mua, a kahore ia i reira; ki muri, heoi kahore ahau e kite i a ia:

Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive him,

9 Ki maui, ina ka mahi ia, heoi kahore ahau e kite i a ia; e huna ana ia i a ia ano i te taha ki matau, te kite ahau i a ia.

on the left hand, when he works, but I cannot behold him. He hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

10 Otiia e mohio ana ia ki te ara e anga atu ai ahau: kia oti ahau te titiro iho e ia, ano he koura ahau i toku putanga mai.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 Mau pu ona takahanga i toku waewae; u pu ahau ki tona ara, kihai hoki i peka ke.

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

12 Kihai hoki i mahue i ahau te whakahau a ona ngutu; ko nga kupu a tona mangai rongoa rawa ki ahau, nui atu i te kai i rite maku.

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 Ko ia, kotahi tonu tona whakaaro, a ma wai ia e whakatahuri ke? Ko ta tona ngakau hoki i hiahia ai e meatia ana e ia.

But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desires, even that he does.

14 E whakaotia ana hoki e ia nga mea i whakaritea moku: he maha ano hoki ana mahi pera.

For he performs that which is appointed for me. And many such things are with him.

15 Koia ahau i ohorere ai i tona aroaro: ka whakaaroaro ahau, ka wehi i a ia.

Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

16 Ngohe noa hoki toku ngakau i te Atua, ohorere ana ahau i te Kaha Rawa.

For God has made my heart faint, and the Almighty has terrified me,

17 Kihai nei hoki ahau i whakangaromia i mua o te pouri, kihai hoki i hipokina e ia te pouri i toku aroaro.

because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor did he cover the thick darkness from my face.