Job 23

1 Then Job replied again,

And Job answers and says:

2 “Today I am again complaining bitterly/strongly [to God]; I [continue] groaning, but he [SYN] [continues to] (punish me/cause me to suffer).

“Also—today my complaint [is] bitter, My hand has been heavy because of my sighing.

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.

O that I had known—and I find Him, I 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 arrange the cause before Him, And fill my mouth [with] arguments.

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

I know the words He answers me, And understand what He says to me.

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

Does He strive with me in the abundance of power? No! Surely He puts [it] in 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 reason with Him, And I escape from mine who is judging—forever.

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—and He is not, And backward—and I do not perceive Him.

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

[To] the left in His working—and I do not see, He is covered [on] the right, and I do not behold.

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 has known the way with me, He has tried me—I go forth as gold.

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

My foot has laid hold on His step, I have kept His way, and do not turn aside,

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

The command of His lips, and I do not depart. I have laid up above my allotted portion 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.

And He [is] in one [mind], And who turns Him back? And His soul has desired—and He does [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.

For He completes my portion, 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, I am troubled at His presence, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

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

And God has made my heart soft, And the Mighty 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 have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.”