Jobs 23
1 Da tok Job til orde og sa:
Then Job answered and said,
2 Ennu idag gjelder min klage for å være gjenstridighet; min hånd hviler dog tungt på mitt sukk.
Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Bare jeg visste å finne ham og kunde komme frem til hans trone!
Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
4 Jeg skulde legge min sak frem for hans åsyn og fylle min munn med beviser.
I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.
5 Jeg skulde få vite de ord han vilde svare mig, og merke mig hvad han vilde si til mig.
I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me.
6 Skulde han da med full kraft stride mot mig? Mon ikke just han skulde akte på mine ord?
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.
7 Da skulde en rettskaffen mann gå i rette med ham, og jeg skulde slippe fra min dommer for all tid.
There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8 Men går jeg mot øst, så er han ikke der; går jeg mot vest, så blir jeg ikke var ham;
Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there]; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;
9 er han virksom i nord, så ser jeg ham ikke; går han mot syd, så øiner jeg ham ikke.
On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
10 For han kjenner den vei jeg holder mig til; prøvde han mig, så skulde jeg gå frem av prøven som gullet.
But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 Min fot holdt sig i hans spor; jeg fulgte hans vei og bøide ikke av.
My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside.
12 Fra hans lebers bud vek jeg ikke; fremfor min egen lov aktet jeg på hans munns ord.
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 Men han er den eneste, og hvem hindrer ham? Hvad hans sjel lyster, det gjør han.
But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14 For han fullbyrder det han har fastsatt for mig, og av sådant er det meget hos ham.
For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.
15 Derfor reddes jeg for ham; tenker jeg på det, så bever jeg for ham.
Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 Og Gud har knekket mitt mot, og den Allmektige har forferdet mig,
For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me;
17 fordi jeg ikke blev rykket bort før mørket kom, og fordi han ikke skjulte ulykkens natt for mig.
Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
