< Job 23 >

1 Then Job answered by saying:
約伯回答說:
2 Now again my conversation is in bitterness, and the force of my scourging weighs more heavily on me because of my mourning.
如今我的哀告還算為悖逆; 我的責罰比我的唉哼還重。
3 Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and that I may approach even to his throne?
惟願我能知道在哪裏可以尋見上帝, 能到他的臺前,
4 I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,
我就在他面前將我的案件陳明, 滿口辯白。
5 so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.
我必知道他回答我的言語, 明白他向我所說的話。
6 I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk of his greatness.
他豈用大能與我爭辯嗎? 必不這樣!他必理會我。
7 Let him show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.
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。
8 If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will not understand him.
只是,我往前行,他不在那裏, 往後退,也不能見他。
9 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.
他在左邊行事,我卻不能看見, 在右邊隱藏,我也不能見他。
10 Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.
然而他知道我所行的路; 他試煉我之後,我必如精金。
11 My feet have been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed from it.
我腳追隨他的步履; 我謹守他的道,並不偏離。
12 I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.
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。
13 For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.
只是他心志已定,誰能使他轉意呢? 他心裏所願的,就行出來。
14 And when he fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.
他向我所定的,就必做成; 這類的事他還有許多。
15 And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.
所以我在他面前驚惶; 我思念這事便懼怕他。
16 God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.
上帝使我喪膽; 全能者使我驚惶。
17 Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.
我的恐懼不是因為黑暗, 也不是因為幽暗蒙蔽我的臉。

< Job 23 >