Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

Job prit la parole et dit:

2 "Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

Maintenant encore ma plainte est une révolte, Mais la souffrance étouffe mes soupirs.

3 Oh that I knew where I might find him. That I might come even to his seat.

Oh! Si je savais où le trouver, Si je pouvais arriver jusqu’à son trône,

4 I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

Je plaiderais ma cause devant lui, Je remplirais ma bouche d’arguments,

5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

Je connaîtrais ce qu’il peut avoir à répondre, Je verrais ce qu’il peut avoir à me dire.

6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

Emploierait-il toute sa force à me combattre? Ne daignerait-il pas au moins m’écouter?

7 There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

Ce serait un homme droit qui plaiderait avec lui, Et je serais pour toujours absous par mon juge.

8 "If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can't find him;

Mais, si je vais à l’orient, il n’y est pas; Si je vais à l’occident, je ne le trouve pas;

9 He works to the north, but I can't see him. He turns south, but I can't catch a glimpse of him.

Est-il occupé au nord, je ne puis le voir; Se cache-t-il au midi, je ne puis le découvrir.

10 But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth like gold.

Il sait néanmoins quelle voie j’ai suivie; Et, s’il m’éprouvait, je sortirais pur comme l’or.

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

Mon pied s’est attaché à ses pas; J’ai gardé sa voie, et je ne m’en suis point détourné.

12 I haven't gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Je n’ai pas abandonné les commandements de ses lèvres; J’ai fait plier ma volonté aux paroles de sa bouche.

13 But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

Mais sa résolution est arrêtée; qui s’y opposera? Ce que son âme désire, il l’exécute.

14 For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

Il accomplira donc ses desseins à mon égard, Et il en concevra bien d’autres encore.

15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

Voilà pourquoi sa présence m’épouvante; Quand j’y pense, j’ai peur de lui.

16 For God has made my heart faint. Shaddai has terrified me.

Dieu a brisé mon courage, Le Tout-Puissant m’a rempli d’effroi.

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

Car ce ne sont pas les ténèbres qui m’anéantissent, Ce n’est pas l’obscurité dont je suis couvert.