Job 23

1 Then Job replied again,

Then 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).

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than 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 come 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 set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

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

That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

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

I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight 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 propose equity against me, and let my judgment come 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.

But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.

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

If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall 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].

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

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

My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

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

I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

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 man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

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 shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

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

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

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

God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled 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.”

For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.