< Job 23 >

1 Then Job replied again,
And Job answered 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 to-day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
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.
Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come 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 order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;
5 Then I would find out what he would reply to me [DOU].
I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6 Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would listen to me carefully.
Would he plead against me with [his] great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto 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 would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered 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.
Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive him;
9 I have gone north and I have gone south, but I have not seen him anywhere.
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I behold [him] not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see [him] not.
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].
But he knoweth the way that I take; he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 I [SYN] have faithfully walked on the path that he showed me; I have not stopped [obeying] him.
My foot hath held to his steps; his way have I kept, and not turned aside.
12 I have always obeyed what he [SYN] commanded; I have treasured the words that he has spoken.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have laid up the words of his mouth more than the purpose of my own 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 he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, that will he do.
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 he will perform [what] is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.
15 So I am terrified in his presence; when I think [about what he can do], I am very afraid [DOU].
Therefore am I troubled at his presence; I consider, and I am afraid of him.
16 Almighty God has caused me [SYN] to feel terrified [DOU].
For God hath made my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth 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.”
Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.

< Job 23 >