ヨブ記 23

二三

1 　ヨブの返事。
2 　「きょうは、ふんまんやる方ない。　いくらなんでも罰がきびしすぎる。　3 どこで会えるかがわかれば、さっそく御座へ行って神様と談判できるのだが。　4-5 こちらの言い分を何もかも話した上で、神様の返事を聞き、何がお望みか理解したい。　6 偉大な神様が、わしを鼻先であしらうだろうか。　むしろ、わしの言うことを聞いて同情するに違いない。　7 正直で公平な者だけが神様と論じ合うことが許され、裁判官である神様によって無罪放免となる。
8 　ところが、いくら神様を探してもむだだ。　あちこち尋ねても見つからない。　9 北へ行っても見あたらず、南に向きを変えても、神様は姿をくらます。　10 だが神様は、わしの身に起こった一部始終をご存じだ。　調べてもらえばわかる。　神様は、わしが完全に潔白であると認めるはずだ。　そうだ、純金のように混じり気がないとな。
11 　わしは神様の道から離れず、神様にくっついてきた。　一歩だって脇道にそれたことはない。　12 神様の命令は三度の食事以上の楽しみだった。　13 とはいえ、神様のおこころが変わるはずはない。　神様の決めたことは、だれにもくつがえせない。　神様は、望みどおりのことを意のままに行なうからだ。　14 わしのことも、決めたとおり全部なさるだろう。　これからも、もっと多くの災いが降りかかるはずだ。
15 　だから、わしはこわくてたまらない。　先のことを思うと、震えが止まらない。　16-17 すっかり弱気になってしまった。　全能の神様は、一面の闇でわしを脅かす。　右を見ても左を見ても、一寸先もわからない闇だ。

Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said,

2 Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

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

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

5 I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me.

6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

7 There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;

9 On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

10 But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

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

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

13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.

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

16 For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me;

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