Job 23

1 And Job made answer and said,

Then Job replied again,

2 Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

“Today I am again complaining bitterly/strongly [to God]; I [continue] groaning, but he [SYN] [continues to] (punish me/cause me to suffer).

3 If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!

I (wish that I knew/want to know) where I could meet/talk with him, so that I could go to the place where he lives.

4 I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

If I could do that, I would tell him why [I know that] I am innocent; I would tell [MTY] to him all my (arguments/evidence [to show that I have not done what is evil]).

5 I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.

Then I would find out what he would reply to me [DOU].

6 Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.

Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would listen to me carefully.

7 There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.

I am (an honest/a righteous) man; so I would be able to discuss things with him [fairly], and then he would declare that I am innocent, [and that decision would endure] forever.

8 See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;

“But, I have gone to the east, and he is not there; I have gone to the west, but I have not found him there.

9 I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him.

I have gone north and I have gone south, but I have not seen him anywhere.

10 For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

But he knows how I have conducted my life; and when he has finished testing me, [he] will [see that] I [am] as pure as [SIM] gold [whose impurities have all been burned out].

11 My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

I [SYN] have faithfully walked on the path that he showed me; I have not stopped [obeying] him.

12 I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.

I have always obeyed what he [SYN] commanded; I have treasured the words that he has spoken.

13 But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.

“He never changes. There is no one who can [RHQ] stop him [from doing what he desires]. Whatever he wants to do, he does.

14 For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs.

And he will finish doing for me the things that he has planned for me; [and I am sure that] he has thought about doing many things for me.

15 For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

So I am terrified in his presence; when I think [about what he can do], I am very afraid [DOU].

16 For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

Almighty God has caused me [SYN] to feel terrified [DOU].

17 For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.

[It is as though] there is only thick darkness in front of me, but it is God that I am afraid of, not the darkness.”