Hiob 23

1 Na Hiob buae se,

And Job made answer and said,

2 “Nnɛ mpo, mʼanwiinwii mu da so yɛ den; ne nsa ayɛ den, mʼapinisi nyinaa akyi.

Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

3 Sɛ minim baabi a mehu no; anaasɛ metumi akɔ ne tenabea a

If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!

4 anka mɛka mʼasɛm wɔ nʼanim na magye akyinnye bebree.

I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

5 Anka mɛte mmuae a ɔde bɛma me, na madwen nea ɔbɛka ho.

I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.

6 Ɔbɛsɔre atia me dennen ana? Dabi, ɔremmɔ me kwaadu.

Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.

7 Ɛhɔ de, nnipa trenee betumi aka nʼasɛm wɔ nʼanim, na wobegye me afi me temmufo nsam afebɔɔ.

There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.

8 “Nanso sɛ mekɔ apuei fam a onni hɔ; sɛ mekɔ atɔe fam nso a minhu no.

See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;

9 Sɛ ɔreyɛ adwuma wɔ atifi fam a minhu no; sɛ ɔdan ne ho kɔ anafo fam a, mʼani nhye ne ho.

I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him.

10 Nanso onim ɔkwan a menam so; na sɛ ɔsɔ me hwɛ a mepue sɛ sikakɔkɔɔ.

For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

11 Madi nʼanammɔn akyi pɛɛ; na manantew nʼakwan so a mamman.

My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

12 Mentwee me ho mfii mmara nsɛm a efi nʼanom no ho, mama asɛm a efi nʼanom ho ahia me asen me daa aduan.

I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.

13 “Nanso obiara nni hɔ ka ne ho, na hena na obetumi atia no? Ɔyɛ biribiara a ɔpɛ.

But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.

14 Ɔde ne mmaransɛm di dwuma tia me; ɔda so kora nhyehyɛe a ɛte sɛɛ bebree.

For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs.

15 Ɛno nti na mebɔ hu wɔ nʼanim; na sɛ midwen eyinom nyinaa ho a, misuro no.

For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

16 Onyankopɔn ama me koma abotow; Otumfo ama mabɔ huboa.

For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

17 Nanso sum no mma menka mʼano nto mu, sum kabii a ɛkata mʼanim no.

For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.