Job 23

1 Then Job replied again,

Then Job answered by saying:

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

Now again my conversation is in bitterness, and the force of my scourging weighs more heavily on me because of my mourning.

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.

Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and that I may approach even to his throne?

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 place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,

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

so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.

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

I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk of his greatness.

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.

Let him show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.

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.

If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will not understand him.

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

If I turn to the left, what can I do? I will not take hold of him. If I turn myself to the right, I will not 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].

Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.

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

My feet have been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed from it.

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

I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.

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.

For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.

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.

And when he fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.

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

And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.

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

God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.

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.”

Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.