約伯記 23

1 約伯回答說：

Then Job answered and said,

2 如今我的哀告還算為悖逆； 我的責罰比我的唉哼還重。

“Even today my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy because of my groaning.

3 惟願我能知道在哪裏可以尋見上帝， 能到他的臺前，

Oh, that I knew where I might find him! Oh, that I might come to his place!

4 我就在他面前將我的案件陳明， 滿口辯白。

I would lay my case in order before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 我必知道他回答我的言語， 明白他向我所說的話。

I would learn the words with which he would answer me and would understand what he would say to me.

6 他豈用大能與我爭辯嗎？ 必不這樣！他必理會我。

Would he argue against me in the greatness of his power? No, he would pay attention to me.

7 在他那裏正直人可以與他辯論； 這樣，我必永遠脫離那審判我的。

There the upright person might argue with him. In this way I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

8 只是，我往前行，他不在那裏， 往後退，也不能見他。

See, I go eastward, but he is not there, and westward, but I cannot perceive him.

9 他在左邊行事，我卻不能看見， 在右邊隱藏，我也不能見他。

To the north, where he is at work, but I cannot see him, and to the south, where he hides himself so that I cannot see him.

10 然而他知道我所行的路； 他試煉我之後，我必如精金。

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come out like gold.

11 我腳追隨他的步履； 我謹守他的道，並不偏離。

My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept to his way and turned not aside.

12 他嘴唇的命令，我未曾背棄； 我看重他口中的言語，過於我需用的飲食。

I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

13 只是他心志已定，誰能使他轉意呢？ 他心裏所願的，就行出來。

But he is one of a kind, who can turn him back? What he desires, he does.

14 他向我所定的，就必做成； 這類的事他還有許多。

For he carries out his decree against me; there are many like them.

15 所以我在他面前驚惶； 我思念這事便懼怕他。

Therefore, I am terrified in his presence; when I think about him, I am afraid of him.

16 上帝使我喪膽； 全能者使我驚惶。

For God has made my heart weak; the Almighty has terrified me.

17 我的恐懼不是因為黑暗， 也不是因為幽暗蒙蔽我的臉。

I have not been brought to an end by darkness, because of the thick darkness that covers the gloom of my face.