23:1 约伯回答说，
Then Job answered and said,　

23:2 如今我的哀告还算为悖逆。我的责罚比我的唉哼还重。
Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.　

23:3 惟愿我能知道在那里可以寻见神，能到他的台前。
Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!　

23:4 我就在他面前将我的案件陈明，满口辩白。
I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.　

23:5 我必知道他回答我的言语，明白他向我所说的话。
I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.　

23:6 他岂用大能与我争辩吗。必不这样，他必理会我。
Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.　

23:7 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。
There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.　

23:8 只是，我往前行，他不在那里，往后退，也不能见他。
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:　

23:9 他在左边行事，我却不能看见，在右边隐藏，我也不能见他。
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:　

23:10 然而他知道我所行的路。他试炼我之后，我必如精金。
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.　

23:11 我脚追随他的步履。我谨守他的道，并不偏离。
My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.　

23:12 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。
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.　

23:13 只是他心志已定，谁能使他转意呢。他心里所愿的，就行出来。
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.　

23:14 他向我所定的，就必做成。这类的事他还有许多。
For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.　

23:15 所以我在他面前惊惶，我思念这事，便惧怕他。
Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.　

23:16 神使我丧胆，全能者使我惊惶。
For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:　

23:17 我的恐惧，不是因为黑暗，也不是因为幽暗蒙蔽我的脸。
Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.