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).

Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon 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.

Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?

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]).

And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.

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

And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would perceive what he would tell me.

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

Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten 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.

for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgment to an end.

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.

For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?

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

When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed [it] not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see [it].

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 knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.

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

And I will go forth according to his commandments, for I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,

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

neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words 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.

And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed [a thing] and done it.

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.

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 him; and when I was reproved, I thought of him. Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be afraid of him.

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

But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has 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 knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.