Hiob 23

1 Na Hiob buaa sɛ,

Then Job answered, and said:

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

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than 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 come even to his throne?

4 anka mɛka mʼasɛm wɔ nʼanim na magye akyinnyeɛ bebree.

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

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

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

6 Ɔde tumi a ɛso bɛtia me anaa? 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 deɛ nnipa tenenee bɛtumi aka nʼasɛm wɔ nʼanim, na wɔbɛgye me afiri me ɔtemmufoɔ nsam afebɔɔ.

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

8 “Nanso sɛ mekɔ apueeɛ fam a, ɔnni hɔ; sɛ mekɔ atɔeɛ fam nso a, menhunu 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, menhunu no; sɛ ɔdane ne ho kɔ anafoɔ 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, ɔnim ɛkwan a me nam soɔ; na sɛ ɔsɔ me hwɛ a, mɛfiri mu aba sɛ sikakɔkɔɔ.

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

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

My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined 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 departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

13 “Nanso ɔbiara nni hɔ ka ne ho, na hwan na ɔbɛtumi 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 Ɔhwɛ ma ne ɔhyɛ nsɛm tia me; ɔda so kora nhyehyɛeɛ a ɛte sei bebree.

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

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

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

16 Onyankopɔn ama mʼakoma aboto; Otumfoɔ ama mabɔ huboa.

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

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

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