Hiob 23

1 Na Hiob buae se,

Then Job answered, and said:

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

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

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

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

4 anka mɛka mʼasɛm wɔ nʼanim na magye akyinnye bebree.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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