Job 23

1 Then responded Job, and said: —

约伯回答说：

2 Even to-day, is my complaint rebellion? His hand, is heavier than my groaning.

如今我的哀告还算为悖逆； 我的责罚比我的唉哼还重。

3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! I would come even unto his dwelling-place;

惟愿我能知道在哪里可以寻见 神， 能到他的台前，

4 I would set out, before him, a plea, and, my mouth, would I fill with arguments;

我就在他面前将我的案件陈明， 满口辩白。

5 I would note the words wherewith he would respond to me, and would mark what he would say to me.

我必知道他回答我的言语， 明白他向我所说的话。

6 Would he, with fulness of might, contend with me? Nay, surely, he, would give heed to me!

他岂用大能与我争辩吗？ 必不这样！他必理会我。

7 There an upright man, might reason with him, so should I deliver myself completely from my judge.

在他那里正直人可以与他辩论； 这样，我必永远脱离那审判我的。

8 Behold! eastward, I go, but he is not there, and, westward, but I perceive him not;

只是，我往前行，他不在那里， 往后退，也不能见他。

9 On the north, where he worketh, but I get no vision, He hideth himself on the south that I cannot see him.

他在左边行事，我却不能看见， 在右边隐藏，我也不能见他。

10 But, he, knoweth the way that I choose, Having tried me, as gold, I shall come forth.

然而他知道我所行的路； 他试炼我之后，我必如精金。

11 Of his steps, my foot taketh hold, His way, have I kept, and not swerved;

我脚追随他的步履； 我谨守他的道，并不偏离。

12 The command of his lips, and would not go back, and, in my bosom, have I treasured the words of his lips.

他嘴唇的命令，我未曾背弃； 我看重他口中的言语，过于我需用的饮食。

13 But, he, is one, and who can turn him? What his soul desired, he hath done.

只是他心志已定，谁能使他转意呢？ 他心里所愿的，就行出来。

14 Surely he will accomplish what is decreed for me, and, many such things, hath he in store.

他向我所定的，就必做成； 这类的事他还有许多。

15 For this cause, from his presence, am I driven in fear, I diligently consider and am kept back from him in dread:

所以我在他面前惊惶； 我思念这事便惧怕他。

16 Yea, GOD, hath made timid my heart, and, the Almighty, hath put me in terror.

神使我丧胆； 全能者使我惊惶。

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor, before my face, did the gloom form a shroud.

我的恐惧不是因为黑暗， 也不是因为幽暗蒙蔽我的脸。