Hopa 23

1 Katahi ka whakautua e Hopa, i mea ia,

Then Job answered,

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. His hand is heavy in spite of 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!

Oh 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 cause 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 tell 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 listen 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:

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

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

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 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 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 stands alone, and who can oppose him? 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. 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. 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, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.