23:1 respondens autem Iob dixit

23:1 Then Job answered, and said:

23:2 nunc quoque in amaritudine est sermo meus et manus plagae meae adgravata est super gemitum meum

23:2 Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

23:3 quis mihi tribuat ut cognoscam et inveniam illum et veniam usque ad solium eius

23:3 Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?

23:4 ponam coram eo iudicium et os meum replebo increpationibus

23:4 I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

23:5 ut sciam verba quae mihi respondeat et intellegam quid loquatur mihi

23:5 That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

23:6 nolo multa fortitudine contendat mecum nec magnitudinis suae mole me premat

23:6 I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

23:7 proponat aequitatem contra me et perveniat ad victoriam iudicium meum

23:7 Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

23:8 si ad orientem iero non apparet si ad occidentem non intellegam eum

23:8 But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.

23:9 si ad sinistram quid agat non adprehendam eum si me vertam ad dextram non videbo illum

23:9 If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

23:10 ipse vero scit viam meam et probavit me quasi aurum quod per ignem transit

23:10 But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

23:11 vestigia eius secutus est pes meus viam eius custodivi et non declinavi ex ea

23:11 My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

23:12 a mandatis labiorum eius non recessi et in sinu meo abscondi verba oris eius

23:12 I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

23:13 ipse enim solus est et nemo avertere potest cogitationem eius et anima eius quodcumque voluerit hoc facit

23:13 For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever his soul hath desired, that hath he done.

23:14 cum expleverit in me voluntatem suam et alia multa similia praesto sunt ei

23:14 And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

23:15 et idcirco a facie eius turbatus sum et considerans eum timore sollicitor

23:15 And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

23:16 Deus mollivit cor meum et Omnipotens conturbavit me

23:16 God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

23:17 non enim perii propter inminentes tenebras nec faciem meam operuit caligo

23:17 For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.