Job 23

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	BIBLES DES PEUPLES
1 Then Job answered by saying:	1 Job prit alors la parole:
2 Now again my conversation is in bitterness, and the force of my scourging weighs more heavily on me because of my mourning.	2 Aujourd’hui encore ma plainte est rebelle: ma main ne peut la bloquer dans ma bouche!
3 Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and that I may approach even to his throne?	3 Ah, si je savais où le trouver, j’irais jusqu’à sa demeure!
4 I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,	4 J’exposerais ma cause devant lui, je lui dirais tous mes arguments.
5 so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.	5 Je verrais ce qu’il me répondrait et je pourrais comprendre sa réponse.
6 I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk of his greatness.	6 Mettrait-il toute sa force dans le débat? Non! Lui m’écouterait.
7 Let him show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.	7 Il verrait l’innocence de celui qui l’attaque, et je serais pour toujours libéré de mon juge.
8 If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will not understand him.	8 Mais je peux aller à l’orient, il n’y est pas, à l’occident, je ne l’y verrai pas!
9 If I turn to the left, what can I do? I will not take hold of him. If I turn myself to the right, I will not see him.	9 J’ai cherché au nord sans le trouver, retournant au midi je ne l’ai pas vu.
10 Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.	10 Il me connaît pourtant, que je marche ou m’arrête: s’il m’éprouve au creuset, je passerai avec l’or.
11 My feet have been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed from it.	11 Car j’ai maintenu mon pied sur son sentier, j’ai suivi sa route, je n’en suis pas sorti.
12 I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.	12 Je n’ai pas ignoré ses commandements, j’ai gardé en moi toutes ses paroles.
13 For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.	13 Mais s’il veut quelque chose, qui l’en empêchera? Ce qu’il a désiré, il le fera.
14 And when he fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.	14 Il fera jusqu’au bout ce qu’il a décrété, ce ne sera qu’une fois de plus.
15 And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.	15 Voilà pourquoi il m’effraie; quand j’y pense, j’ai peur de lui.
16 God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.	16 Mais si Dieu me fait perdre cœur, si le Puissant me terrifie,
17 Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.	17 je ne me suis pas tu pour autant dans le noir, en dépit des ténèbres qui voilent mon visage.