Job’s Reply
1Job replied,
2“Even today my problems are more than I can handle.
In spite of my groans, God’s hand is heavy on me.
3I wish I knew where I could find him!
I wish I could go to the place where he lives!
4I would state my case to him.
I’d give him all my arguments.
5I’d find out what his answers would be.
I’d think about what he would say to me.
6Would he strongly oppose me?
No. He wouldn’t bring charges against me.
7There honest people can prove to him they’re not guilty.
There my Judge would tell me once and for all that I’m not guilty.
8“But if I go to the east, God isn’t there.
If I go to the west, I don’t find him.
9When he’s working in the north, I don’t see him there.
When he turns to the south, I don’t see him there either.
10But he knows every step I take.
When he has tested me,
I’ll come out as pure as gold.
11My feet have closely followed his steps.
I’ve stayed on his path without turning away.
12I haven’t disobeyed his commands.
I’ve treasured his words more than my daily bread.
13“But he’s the only God. Who can oppose him?
He does anything he wants to do.
14He carries out his plans against me.
And he still has many other plans just like them.
15That’s why I’m so terrified.
When I think about all of this, I’m afraid of him.
16God has made my heart weak.
The Mighty One has filled me with terror.
17But even the darkness of death won’t make me silent.
When the darkness of the grave covers my face, I won’t be quiet.
Jobs ottende tale: Et svar til Elifaz
1Hertil svarede Job:
2„Jeg må stadig klage i min håbløshed,
for Guds hårde straf får mig til at stønne.
3Kunne jeg dog bare få Gud i tale,
træde frem for hans trone,
4forklare ham mit syn på sagen,
og fremlægge mine argumenter,
5så kunne jeg få at vide, hvad han mener,
og prøve at forstå hans svar.
6Ville den almægtige Gud bare tromle mig ned?
Nej, han ville høre efter, hvad jeg havde at sige.
7Med ham som dommer får man en fair behandling,
og jeg tror bestemt, han ville frifinde mig.
8Men går jeg mod øst, finder jeg ham ikke.
Går jeg mod vest, er han heller ikke der.
9Mod nord kan jeg ikke få øje på ham,
mod syd kan jeg ikke finde hans spor.
10Men han kender mit liv og mine gerninger,
jeg ville bestå hans prøve med glans.
11Trofast har jeg fulgt i hans fodspor,
vandret den vej, han har anvist.
12Jeg har ikke overtrådt hans befalinger,
men bevaret hans ord i mit hjerte.
13Men hvem kan standse Gud?
Han fører det igennem, han har sat sig for.
14Han handler med mig efter sin plan,
og hvem ved, hvad han mere har i sinde?
15Er det så sært, at jeg frygter ham,
at jeg gruer ved tanken om, hvad han kan gøre?
16Gud har taget alt modet fra mig,
den Almægtige gør mig bange.
17Men jeg kan ikke bare holde min mund,
fordi jeg sidder i et mørkt fangehul.
