Job 23

Job’s Eighth Speech: A Response to Eliphaz ¹Then Job spoke again:

²“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. ³ If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. ⁴ I would lay out my case and present my arguments. ⁵ Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. ⁶ Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing. ⁷ Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge. ⁸ I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. ⁹ I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed.

¹⁰“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. ¹¹ For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. ¹² I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food. ¹³ But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does. ¹⁴ So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny. ¹⁵ No wonder I am so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me. ¹⁶ God has made me sick at heart; the Almighty has terrified me. ¹⁷ Darkness is all around me; thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere.