Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

Then Job replied again,

2 “Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

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

3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

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.

4 I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

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]).

5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

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

6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

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

7 There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

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.

8 “If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

“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.

9 He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

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

10 But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

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].

11 My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

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

12 I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

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

13 But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

“He never changes. There is no one who can [RHQ] stop him [from doing what he desires]. Whatever he wants to do, he does.

14 For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

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 Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

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

16 For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

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

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

[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.”