Job 23

1 Then Job replied again,

And Job made answer and said,

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

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

3 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.

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

4 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]).

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

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

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

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

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

7 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.

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

8 “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.

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

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

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.

10 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].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14 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.

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

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

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

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

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

17 [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.”

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