Job 23

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	BIBLES DES PEUPLES
1 Again Job answered and said:	1 Job prit alors la parole:
2 Though I know my complaint is bitter, his hand is heavy upon me in my groanings.	2 Aujourd’hui encore ma plainte est rebelle: ma main ne peut la bloquer dans ma bouche!
3 Oh, that today I might find him, that I might come to his judgment seat!	3 Ah, si je savais où le trouver, j’irais jusqu’à sa demeure!
4 I would set out my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;	4 J’exposerais ma cause devant lui, je lui dirais tous mes arguments.
5 I would learn the words with which he would answer, and understand what he would reply to me.	5 Je verrais ce qu’il me répondrait et je pourrais comprendre sa réponse.
6 Even should he contend against me with his great power, yet, would that he himself might heed me!	6 Mettrait-il toute sa force dans le débat? Non! Lui m’écouterait.
7 There the upright man might reason with him, and I should once and for all preserve my rights.	7 Il verrait l’innocence de celui qui l’attaque, et je serais pour toujours libéré de mon juge.
8 But if I go to the east, he is not there; or to the west, I cannot perceive him;	8 Mais je peux aller à l’orient, il n’y est pas, à l’occident, je ne l’y verrai pas!
9 Where the north enfolds him, I behold him not; by the south he is veiled, and I see him not.	9 J’ai cherché au nord sans le trouver, retournant au midi je ne l’ai pas vu.
10 Yet he knows my way; if he proved me, I should come forth as gold.	10 Il me connaît pourtant, que je marche ou m’arrête: s’il m’éprouve au creuset, je passerai avec l’or.
11 My foot has always walked in his steps; his way I have kept and have not turned aside.	11 Car j’ai maintenu mon pied sur son sentier, j’ai suivi sa route, je n’en suis pas sorti.
12 From the commands of his lips I have not departed; the words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart.	12 Je n’ai pas ignoré ses commandements, j’ai gardé en moi toutes ses paroles.
13 But he had decided, and who can say him nay? What he desires, that he does.	13 Mais s’il veut quelque chose, qui l’en empêchera? Ce qu’il a désiré, il le fera.
14 For he will carry out what is appointed for me; and many such things may yet be in his mind.	14 Il fera jusqu’au bout ce qu’il a décrété, ce ne sera qu’une fois de plus.
15 Therefore am I dismayed before him; when I take thought, I fear him.	15 Voilà pourquoi il m’effraie; quand j’y pense, j’ai peur de lui.
16 Indeed God has made my courage fail; the Almighty has put me in dismay.	16 Mais si Dieu me fait perdre cœur, si le Puissant me terrifie,
17 Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness, and that thick gloom were before me to conceal me.	17 je ne me suis pas tu pour autant dans le noir, en dépit des ténèbres qui voilent mon visage.