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.
Job 23
Job: Jeg tier ikke
1 Da tok Job til orde og sa:
2 Fortsatt er min klage trassig,
selv om jeg demper mine stønn med hard hånd.
3 Om jeg bare kunne finne ham,
tre inn i hans tronsal,
4 da ville jeg legge fram min sak for ham,
fylle munnen med motbevis.
5 t Da kunne jeg få vite hva han ville svare,
og forstå hva han vil si meg.
6 Ville han bruke sin store makt i saken mot meg?
Å nei, han ville nok høre på meg.
7 Så drøftet jeg saken oppriktig med ham,
og dommeren satte meg fri for alltid.
8 t Går jeg mot øst, er han ikke der,
går jeg mot vest, merker jeg ham ikke.
9 Arbeider han i nord, vet jeg det ikke,
og snur han mot sør, ser jeg det ikke.
10 t Men han kjenner den veien jeg fulgte.
Prøver han meg, kommer jeg ut som gull.
11 t Føttene mine gikk i hans spor,
jeg fulgte hans vei og vek ikke av.
12 t Jeg brøt ikke budene fra hans lepper,
ordene fra hans munn gjemte jeg i mitt indre.
13 t Han er den eneste, hvem kan hindre ham?
Det han har lyst til, det gjør han.
14 Han fullfører det han har fastsatt for meg,
og har mer av samme slag i sinne.
15 t Derfor frykter jeg for å møte ham.
Jeg tenker etter og blir skrekkslagen.
16 Gud gjør meg motløs,
Den veldige skremmer meg.
17 Men jeg tier ikke i møte med mørket,
når belgmørket dekker meg.