Job 23

1 Then Job replied again,

And Job answereth and saith: —

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 — to-day [is] my complaint bitter, My hand hath 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 in unto 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 before Him the cause, And my mouth fill [with] arguments.

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

I know the words He doth answer me, And understand what He saith to me.

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

In the abundance of power doth He strive with me? No! surely He putteth [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 doth reason with Him, And I escape 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.

Lo, forward I go — and He is not, And backward — and I perceive him not.

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 see not, He is covered [on] the right, and I behold 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].

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

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

On His step hath my foot laid hold, His way I have kept, and turn not 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 depart not. Above my allotted portion I have laid 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.

And He [is] in one [mind], And who doth turn Him back? And His soul hath desired — and He doth [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 doth complete 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, from His presence I am troubled, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

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

And God hath made my heart soft, And the Mighty hath 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.