Hiob 23

1 Na Hiob buaa sɛ,

Then Job answered by saying:

2 “Ɛnnɛ mpo, mʼabooboodie mu da so yɛ den; ne nsa ayɛ den mʼapinisie nyinaa akyi.

Now again my conversation is in bitterness, and the force of my scourging weighs more heavily on me because of my mourning.

3 Sɛ menim baabi a mɛhunu no; anaasɛ mɛtumi akɔ ne tenaberɛ a,

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

4 anka mɛka mʼasɛm wɔ nʼanim na magye akyinnyeɛ bebree.

I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,

5 Anka mɛte mmuaeɛ a ɔde bɛma me, na madwene deɛ ɔbɛka ho.

so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.

6 Ɔde tumi a ɛso bɛtia me anaa? Dabi, ɔremmɔ me kwaadu.

I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk of his greatness.

7 Ɛhɔ deɛ nnipa tenenee bɛtumi aka nʼasɛm wɔ nʼanim, na wɔbɛgye me afiri me ɔtemmufoɔ nsam afebɔɔ.

Let him show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.

8 “Nanso sɛ mekɔ apueeɛ fam a, ɔnni hɔ; sɛ mekɔ atɔeɛ fam nso a, menhunu no.

If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will not understand him.

9 Sɛ ɔreyɛ adwuma wɔ atifi fam a, menhunu no; sɛ ɔdane ne ho kɔ anafoɔ fam a, mʼani nhye ne ho.

If I turn to the left, what can I do? I will not take hold of him. If I turn myself to the right, I will not see him.

10 Nanso, ɔnim ɛkwan a me nam soɔ; na sɛ ɔsɔ me hwɛ a, mɛfiri mu aba sɛ sikakɔkɔɔ.

Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.

11 Madi nʼanammɔn akyi pɛɛ; na manante nʼakwan so a mammane.

My feet have been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed from it.

12 Mentwee me ho mfirii mmaransɛm a ɛfiri nʼanom ho, mama asɛm a ɛfiri nʼanom ho ahia me asene me daa aduane.

I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.

13 “Nanso ɔbiara nni hɔ ka ne ho, na hwan na ɔbɛtumi atia no? Ɔyɛ biribiara a ɔpɛ.

For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.

14 Ɔhwɛ ma ne ɔhyɛ nsɛm tia me; ɔda so kora nhyehyɛeɛ a ɛte sei bebree.

And when he fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.

15 Ɛno enti na mebɔ hu wɔ nʼanim; na sɛ medwene yeinom nyinaa ho a, mesuro no.

And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.

16 Onyankopɔn ama mʼakoma aboto; Otumfoɔ ama mabɔ huboa.

God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.

17 Nanso esum no mma menka mʼano ntom, esum kabii a ɛkata mʼanim no mpo.

Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.