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.

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

3 Bare jeg visste å finne ham og kunde komme frem til hans trone!

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

4 Jeg skulde legge min sak frem for hans åsyn og fylle min munn med beviser.

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

5 Jeg skulde få vite de ord han vilde svare mig, og merke mig hvad han vilde si til mig.

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

6 Skulde han da med full kraft stride mot mig? Mon ikke just han skulde akte på mine ord?

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

7 Da skulde en rettskaffen mann gå i rette med ham, og jeg skulde slippe fra min dommer for all tid.

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

8 Men går jeg mot øst, så er han ikke der; går jeg mot vest, så blir jeg ikke var ham;

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

9 er han virksom i nord, så ser jeg ham ikke; går han mot syd, så øiner jeg ham ikke.

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 For han kjenner den vei jeg holder mig til; prøvde han mig, så skulde jeg gå frem av prøven som gullet.

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

11 Min fot holdt sig i hans spor; jeg fulgte hans vei og bøide ikke av.

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

12 Fra hans lebers bud vek jeg ikke; fremfor min egen lov aktet jeg på hans munns ord.

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

13 Men han er den eneste, og hvem hindrer ham? Hvad hans sjel lyster, det gjør han.

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

14 For han fullbyrder det han har fastsatt for mig, og av sådant er det meget hos ham.

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

15 Derfor reddes jeg for ham; tenker jeg på det, så bever jeg for ham.

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

16 Og Gud har knekket mitt mot, og den Allmektige har forferdet mig,

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

17 fordi jeg ikke blev rykket bort før mørket kom, og fordi han ikke skjulte ulykkens natt for mig.

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