Job 23

1 Then Job replied again,

Then answered Job, 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 now is my complaint bitter: my suffering is heavier than my groans.

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 who would grant that I knew where I might find him! that I might attain to his Judgment 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 put in order before him my cause, and my mouth would I fill with arguments.

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

I should know the words which he might answer me, and understand what he might say unto me.

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

Would he with his power contend against me? he would truly not lay such doings to my charge.

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 one argue with him; and I should be allowed to escape for ever by 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.

But, lo, I go eastward—and he is not there; and to the west— and I cannot perceive him;

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

When he doth great things at the north, I behold him not; he hideth himself in the south—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: were he to probe me, I should come forth as gold.

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

On his steps my foot hath held fast: his way have I kept, and swerved not.

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

From the commandment of his lips have I also not moved away: as a fixed statute for me have I treasured up the sayings of his mouth.

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 unchangeably one, and who can turn him? And what his will desireth, even that he doth.

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 bring to completion what hath been destined for me: and like these hath he many other things 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 terrified at his presence: I will reflect, and be in dread of him.

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

Still God hath made timid my heart, and the Almighty hath terrified 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 destroyed before this darkness, and because he hath not hidden from my face [this] gloom.