Job 23

NEW JERUSALEM	MODERN HEBREW BIBLE
1 Job spoke next. He said:	1 ויען איוב ויאמר
2 My lament is stil rebellious; despite my groans, his hand is just as heavy.	2 גם היום מרי שחי ידי כבדה על אנחתי
3 Wil no one help me to know how to travel to his dwel ing?	3 מי יתן ידעתי ואמצאהו אבוא עד תכונתו
4 I should set out my case to him, advancing any number of grievances.	4 אערכה לפניו משפט ופי אמלא תוכחות
5 Then I could learn his defence, every word of it, taking note of everything he said to me.	5 אדעה מלים יענני ואבינה מה יאמר לי
6 Would he put al his strength into this debate with me? No, he would only have to give his attention tome,	6 הברב כח יריב עמדי לא אך הוא ישם בי
7 to recognise his opponent as upright and so I should win my case for ever.	7 שם ישר נוכח עמו ואפלטה לנצח משפטי
8 If I go to the east, he is not there; or to the west, I stil cannot see him.	8 הן קדם אהלך ואיננו ואחור ולא אבין לו
9 If I seek him in the north, he is not to be found, invisible as ever, if I turn to the south.	9 שמאול בעשתו ולא אחז יעטף ימין ולא אראה
10 And yet he knows every step I take! Let him test me in the crucible: I shall come out pure gold.	10 כי ידע דרך עמדי בחנני כזהב אצא
11 My footsteps have fol owed close in his, I have walked in his way without swerving;	11 באשרו אחזה רגלי דרכו שמרתי ולא אט
12 I have not neglected the commandment of his lips, in my heart I have cherished the words of hismouth.	12 מצות שפתיו ולא אמיש מחקי צפנתי אמרי פיו
13 But once he has made up his mind, who can change it? Whatever he plans, that he carries out.	13 והוא באחד ומי ישיבנו ונפשו אותה ויעש
14 No doubt, then, but he wil carry out my sentence, like so many other decrees that he has made.	14 כי ישלים חקי וכהנה רבות עמו
15 That is why I am ful of fear before him, and the more I think, the greater grows my dread of him.	15 על כן מפניו אבהל אתבונן ואפחד ממנו
16 God has undermined my courage, Shaddai has filled me with fear.	16 ואל הרך לבי ושדי הבהילני
17 The darkness having failed to destroy me, I am plunged back into obscurity by him!	17 כי לא נצמתי מפני חשך ומפני כסה אפל