Job 23

1 Job replied,

約伯回答說：

2 “Just the same, my complaints today remain bitter. In spite of my groaning he is still punishing me.

如今我的哀告還算為悖逆； 我的責罰比我的唉哼還重。

3 If only I knew where I could find him so I could go to where he sits in judgment.

惟願我能知道在哪裏可以尋見上帝， 能到他的臺前，

4 There I would lay out my case before him and present all my arguments in full.

我就在他面前將我的案件陳明， 滿口辯白。

5 I would discover how he would answer me and learn what he has to say to me.

我必知道他回答我的言語， 明白他向我所說的話。

6 Would he fight against me using his mighty power? No, he would pay attention to what I have to say.

他豈用大能與我爭辯嗎？ 必不這樣！他必理會我。

7 There a good person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

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's not there; if I go the west, I don't find him.

只是，我往前行，他不在那裏， 往後退，也不能見他。

9 If he's working in the north, I don't perceive him; if he's moving south, I don't 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 Yet he always knows where I'm going. When he has proved me, I will come out shining like gold.

然而他知道我所行的路； 他試煉我之後，我必如精金。

11 I have kept in step with him; I have followed his way without turning aside.

我腳追隨他的步履； 我謹守他的道，並不偏離。

12 I have not neglected his commands, for I value what he has told me to do more than the food I eat every day.

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 But God is unchangeable—who can turn him from his purposes? He does whatever he wants to do.

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 So he will finish whatever he has planned for me—and he has many plans for me.

他向我所定的，就必做成； 這類的事他還有許多。

15 That's why I'm terrified at meeting him; when I think of him I tremble with fear.

所以我在他面前驚惶； 我思念這事便懼怕他。

16 God has made me faint-hearted; the Almighty has scared me to death.

上帝使我喪膽； 全能者使我驚惶。

17 Yet I'm still here despite the dark—even though I can't see through the utter darkness.

我的恐懼不是因為黑暗， 也不是因為幽暗蒙蔽我的臉。