Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

Då svara Job og sagde:

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

«Endå gjeld klaga mi for tråss, tungt legg eg handi på min sukk.

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

Berre eg kunde finna honom og koma til hans bustad fram!

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

Då la eg fram for han mi sak og fyllte munnen min med prov.

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

Då høyrde eg kva svar han gav, og merka det han sa til meg.

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

Vilde med magt han mot meg standa? Nei, lyda på meg vilde han.

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

Ein skuldfri stod då for han fram; for alltid slapp eg domar min.

8 “If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

Gjeng eg i aust, han er’kje der; mot vest, eg vert han ikkje var;

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

i nord han verkar, ei eg ser han, han snur mot sud, eg ser han ikkje.

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

For all den veg eg fer han kjenner; prøvde han meg, eg var som gull.

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

Min fot hev fylgt i faret hans; hans veg eg gjeng ubrigdeleg,

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.

veik ei frå det hans lippa baud, meir enn mi lov eg lydde hans.

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

Men ein er han, kven hindrar honom? Det han hev hug til, gjer han og.

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

Han um min lagnad avgjerd tek, og hev med meg so mangt i emning.

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

Eg difor ræddast for hans åsyn, når eg det minnest, skjelv eg for han.

16 For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

Ja, Gud hev brote ned mitt mod, og Allvald hev gjort meg fælen,

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

ei er det myrkret som meg tyner, og ei mi eigi myrke åsyn.