Job 23

1 Job replied,

Job replied,

2 “Just the same, my complaints today remain bitter. In spite of my groaning he is still punishing me.

“Just the same, my complaints today remain bitter. In spite of my groaning he is still punishing me.

3 If only I knew where I could find him so I could go to where he sits in judgment.

If only I knew where I could find him so I could go to where he sits in judgment.

4 There I would lay out my case before him and present all my arguments in full.

There I would lay out my case before him and present all my arguments in full.

5 I would discover how he would answer me and learn what he has to say to me.

I would discover how he would answer me and learn what he has to say to me.

6 Would he fight against me using his mighty power? No, he would pay attention to what I have to say.

Would he fight against me using his mighty power? No, he would pay attention to what I have to say.

7 There a good person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

There a good person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

8 If I go to the east, he's not there; if I go the west, I don't find him.

If I go to the east, he's not there; if I go the west, I don't find him.

9 If he's working in the north, I don't perceive him; if he's moving south, I don't see him.

If he's working in the north, I don't perceive him; if he's moving south, I don't see him.

10 Yet he always knows where I'm going. When he has proved me, I will come out shining like gold.

Yet he always knows where I'm going. When he has proved me, I will come out shining like gold.

11 I have kept in step with him; I have followed his way without turning aside.

I have kept in step with him; I have followed his way without turning aside.

12 I have not neglected his commands, for I value what he has told me to do more than the food I eat every day.

I have not neglected his commands, for I value what he has told me to do more than the food I eat every day.

13 But God is unchangeable—who can turn him from his purposes? He does whatever he wants to do.

But God is unchangeable—who can turn him from his purposes? He does whatever he wants to do.

14 So he will finish whatever he has planned for me—and he has many plans for me.

So he will finish whatever he has planned for me—and he has many plans for me.

15 That's why I'm terrified at meeting him; when I think of him I tremble with fear.

That's why I'm terrified at meeting him; when I think of him I tremble with fear.

16 God has made me faint-hearted; the Almighty has scared me to death.

God has made me faint-hearted; the Almighty has scared me to death.

17 Yet I'm still here despite the dark—even though I can't see through the utter darkness.

Yet I'm still here despite the dark—even though I can't see through the utter darkness.