Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said:

Then Job replied again,

2 Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of my groaning.

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

3 Oh that I knew where I might find Him, 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 order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with 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 know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me.

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

6 Would He contend with me in His great power? Nay; but He would give heed unto me.

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

7 There the upright might reason with Him; so should I be delivered 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 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive 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 On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

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

10 For He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as 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 foot hath held fast to His steps, His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

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

12 I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured up the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

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

13 But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.

“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 He will perform that which is appointed for me; and many such things are with Him.

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 Therefore am I affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

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

16 Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted me;

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

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did He cover the thick darkness from 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.”