Then Job answered and said,
2“如今我的哀告还算为悖逆； 我虽唉哼，他的手仍然重重责罚我☛“他的手...责罚我”是根据七十士译本和其他古译本；原文是“我的手是重的”。。Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3惟愿我知道哪里可以寻见神， 能到他的台前，Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
4我就在他面前陈明我的案件， 满口辩诉。I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5我必知道他回答我的言语， 明白他向我所要说的。I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6他岂用大能与我争辩呢？ 不！他必理会我。Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
7在那里正直人可以与他辩论， 我就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.
8“看哪，我往前走，他不在那里； 往后退，也没有察觉他。Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9他在左边行事，我却看不见他； 他转向右边☛“他转向右边”或译“他在右边隐藏”。，我也见不到他。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:
10然而他知道我所走的路； 他试炼我，我就如纯金。But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11我的脚紧跟他的步伐； 我谨守他的道，并不偏离。My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
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☛“我需用的饮食”或译“我的原则”。。☛“我看重...饮食。”七十士译本是“我把他的言语珍藏在我胸怀。”Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
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.
14因此，为我所定的，他必做成， 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.
15所以我在他面前惊惶； 我思想就惧怕他。Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16神使我丧胆， 全能者使我惊惶。For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17但我并非被黑暗剪除， 只是幽暗遮盖了我的脸。Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.