1 Then Job answered,
2 "Even today my complaint is rebellious.
His hand is heavy in spite of 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 tell me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No, but he would listen to me.
7 There the upright might reason with him,
so I should be delivered forever from my judge.
8 "If I go east, he is not there.
If I go west, I can’t find him.
9 He works to the north, but I can’t see him.
He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.
10 But he knows the way that I take.
When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps.
I have kept his way, and not turned away.
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.
13 But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?
What his soul desires, even that he does.
14 For he performs that which is appointed for me.
Many such things are with him.
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence.
When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 For God has made my heart faint.
The Almighty has terrified me.
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness,
neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
1 Iov a luat cuvîntul şi a zis:
2 ,,Şi acum plîngerea mea este tot o răzvrătire. Dar suferinţa îmi înăduşe suspinurile.
3 Oh! dacă aş şti unde să -L găsesc, dacă aş putea să ajung pînă la scaunul Lui de domnie,
4 mi-aş apăra pricina înaintea Lui, mi-aş umplea gura cu dovezi.
5 Aş şti ce poate să răspundă, aş vedea ce are să-mi spună.
6 Şi-ar întrebuinţa El toată puterea ca să lupte împotriva mea? Nu; ci m'ar asculta negreşit.
7 Doar un om fără prihană ar vorbi cu El, şi aş fi iertat pentru totdeauna de Judecătorul meu.
8 Dar, dacă mă duc la răsărit, nu este acolo; dacă mă duc la apus, nu -L găsesc:
9 dacă are treabă la miazănoapte, nu -L pot vedea; dacă se ascunde la miazăzi, nu -L pot descoperi.
10 Dar El ştie ce cale am urmat; şi, dacă m'ar încerca, aş ieşi curat ca aurul.
11 Piciorul meu s'a ţinut de paşii Lui; am ţinut calea Lui, şi nu m'am abătut dela ea.
12 N'am părăsit poruncile buzelor Lui; mi-am plecat voia la cuvintele gurii Lui.
13 Dar hotărîrea Lui este luată, cine i se va împotrivi? Ce -I doreşte sufletul, aceea face.
14 El Îşi va împlini dar planurile faţă de mine, şi va mai face şi multe altele.
15 De aceea tremur înaintea Lui, şi cînd mă gîndesc la lucrul acesta, mă tem de El.
16 Dumnezeu mi -a tăiat inima, Cel Atotputernic m'a umplut de groază.
17 Căci nu întunerecul durerii mele mă nimiceşte, nici negura în care sînt înfăşurat.