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).

Still is my complaint bitter; But my wound is deeper than 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.

O that I knew where I might find him! That I might go before 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 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 should know what 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.

Would he contend with me with his mighty power? No! he would have regard to 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.

Then would an upright man contend with him, And I should be fully acquitted 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, behold, I go eastward, and he is not there; And westward, but I cannot perceive him;

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

To the north, where he worketh, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the south, and 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].

But he knoweth the way which is in my heart; When he trieth 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 feet have trodden in his steps; His way I have kept, and have not turned aside from it.

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

I have not neglected the precepts of his lips; Above my own law have I esteemed the words 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 of one mind, and who can turn him? And what he desireth, 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.

He performeth that which is appointed for me; And many such things are in his mind!

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

Therefore I am in terror on account of him; When I consider, I am afraid of him.

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

For God maketh my heart faint; Yea, the Almighty terrifieth 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 taken away before darkness came, And he hath not hidden darkness from mine eyes.