| 1 | Then Job answered, |
| 2 | Even today is my complaint rebellious
and
bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning. |
| 3 | Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat! |
| 4 | I would lay my cause before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. |
| 5 | I would learn what He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me. |
| 6 | Would He plead against me with His great power? No, He would give heed to me. |
| 7 | There the righteous [one who is upright and in right standing with God] could reason with Him; so I should be acquitted by my Judge forever. |
| 8 | Behold, I go forward [and to the east], but He is not there; I go backward [and to the west], but I cannot perceive Him; |
| 9 | On the left hand [and to the north] where He works [I seek Him], but I cannot behold Him; He turns Himself to the right hand [and to the south], but I cannot see Him. |
| 10 | But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. |
| 11 | My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside. |
| 12 | I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed
and
treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. |
| 13 | But He is unchangeable, and who can turn Him? And what He wants to do, that He does. |
| 14 | For He performs [that which He has] planned for me, and of many such matters He is mindful. |
| 15 | Therefore am I troubled
and
terrified at His presence; when I consider, I am in dread
and
afraid of Him. |
| 16 | For God has made my heart faint, timid,
and
broken, and the Almighty has terrified me, |
| 17 | Because I was not cut off before the darkness [of these woes befell me], neither has He covered the thick darkness from my face. |
Cross references:
-
Job 23:6 : Isa. 27:4, 5; 57:16.
-
Job 23:10 : Ps. 17:3; 66:10; James 1:12.
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