Job 23

1 Bvt Iob answered and sayd,

約伯回答說：

2 Though my talke be this day in bitternes, and my plague greater then my groning,

如今我的哀告還算為悖逆； 我的責罰比我的唉哼還重。

3 Would God yet I knew how to finde him, I would enter vnto his place.

惟願我能知道在哪裏可以尋見上帝， 能到他的臺前，

4 I would pleade the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

我就在他面前將我的案件陳明， 滿口辯白。

5 I would knowe the wordes, that he would answere me, and would vnderstand what he would say vnto me.

我必知道他回答我的言語， 明白他向我所說的話。

6 Would he plead against me with his great power? No, but he would put strength in me.

他豈用大能與我爭辯嗎？ 必不這樣！他必理會我。

7 There the righteous might reason with him, so I shoulde be deliuered for euer from my Iudge.

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 Behold, if I go to the East, he is not there: if to the West, yet I can not perceiue him:

只是，我往前行，他不在那裏， 往後退，也不能見他。

9 If to the North where he worketh, yet I cannot see him: he wil hide himselfe in the South, and I cannot beholde 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 But he knoweth my way, and trieth mee, and I shall come forth like the gold.

然而他知道我所行的路； 他試煉我之後，我必如精金。

11 My foote hath followed his steps: his way haue I kept, and haue not declined.

我腳追隨他的步履； 我謹守他的道，並不偏離。

12 Neyther haue I departed from the commandement of his lippes, and I haue esteemed the words of his mouth more then mine appointed foode.

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 Yet he is in one minde, and who can turne him? yea, he doeth what his minde desireth.

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 For he will performe that, which is decreed of me, and many such things are with him.

他向我所定的，就必做成； 這類的事他還有許多。

15 Therefore I am troubled at his presence, and in considering it, I am afraid of him.

所以我在他面前驚惶； 我思念這事便懼怕他。

16 For God hath softened mine heart, and the Almightie hath troubled me.

上帝使我喪膽； 全能者使我驚惶。

17 For I am not cut off in darknesse, but he hath hid the darkenesse from my face.

我的恐懼不是因為黑暗， 也不是因為幽暗蒙蔽我的臉。