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).

Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of 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 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 order my 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 which 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 contend with me in 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 the upright might reason with Him; so should I 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.

Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

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

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.

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 knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried 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 fast to His steps, His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

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

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.

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

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

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

Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted 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 did He cover the thick darkness from my face.