23:1 约伯回答说：
Again Job answered and said: 23:2 直到今天，我还是反抗哀诉，他沉重的手掌，使我不得不呻吟。
Though I know my complaint is bitter, his hand is heavy upon me in my groanings. 23:3 惟愿我知道怎样能寻到天主，能达到他的宝座前，
Oh, that today I might find him, that I might come to his judgment seat! 23:4 好将我的案情向他陈诉，因为我口中满了证词!
I would set out my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments; 23:5 唯愿我知道他答复我的话，明了他向我说什么!
I would learn the words with which he would answer, and understand what he would reply to me. 23:6 他岂能靠强力同我争辩﹖决不，他必留神听我。
Even should he contend against me with his great power, yet, would that he himself might heed me! 23:7 如此，他会分辨出同他争论的是个正直人，也许我可永久不再受裁判!
There the upright man might reason with him, and I should once and for all preserve my rights. 23:8 可是我往东行，他不在那里；我往西行，也找不到他；
But if I go to the east, he is not there; or to the west, I cannot perceive him; 23:9 往北找，也看不见他；往南去，也见不到他。
Where the north enfolds him, I behold him not; by the south he is veiled, and I see him not. 23:10 他洞悉我所有的进退。他若试验我，我必如纯金出现。
Yet he knows my way; if he proved me, I should come forth as gold. 23:11 我的脚紧随着他的足迹，谨守他的道，总没有偏离。
My foot has always walked in his steps; his way I have kept and have not turned aside. 23:12 他所发的命令，我总没有违背；他口中的训言，我常保存在心中。
From the commands of his lips I have not departed; the words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart. 23:13 但他所决定的，谁能变更﹖他所乐意的，必要实行。
But he had decided, and who can say him nay? What he desires, that he does. 23:14 他所注定的，必要完成；类似的事，还有很多。
For he will carry out what is appointed for me; and many such things may yet be in his mind. 23:15 因此，为了他，我很惊慌，一想起来就害怕。
Therefore am I dismayed before him; when I take thought, I fear him. 23:16 天主使我的心沮丧，全能者使我恐怖。
Indeed God has made my courage fail; the Almighty has put me in dismay. 23:17 因为我虽面临黑暗，幽暗虽遮盖我的面，我仍不丧气。
Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness, and that thick gloom were before me to conceal me.