Job 23:1-17

  • Job’s reply (1-17)

    • Wants to present his case before God (1-7)

    • Says that he cannot find God (8, 9)

    • ‘I kept to his way without deviating’ (11)

23  Job said in reply:   “Even today I will complain stubbornly;*+My strength is exhausted because of my sighing.   If only I knew where to find God!+ I would go to his place of dwelling.+   I would present my case before himAnd fill my mouth with arguments;   I would learn how he would answer meAnd take note of what he says to me.   Would he contend with me using his great power? No, surely he would give me a hearing.+   There the upright one could set matters straight with him,And I would be acquitted once and for all by my Judge.   But if I go east, he is not there;And I return and I cannot find him.   When he is working on the left, I cannot look upon him;Then he turns to the right, but I still do not see him. 10  But he knows the path I have taken.+ After he has tested me, I will come out as pure gold.+ 11  My feet have closely followed his footsteps;I have kept to his way without deviating.+ 12  I have not departed from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up his sayings+ even more than what was required of me.* 13  When he is determined, who can resist him?+ When he* wants to do something, he does it.+ 14  For he will carry out completely what has been determined* for me,And he has many such things in store. 15  That is why I am anxious because of him;When I think about him, my fear grows. 16  God has made me fainthearted,And the Almighty has made me afraid. 17  But I have not yet been silenced by the darknessNor by the gloom that has covered my face.

Footnotes

Or “my complaint is rebellious.”
Or “prescribed for me.”
Or “his soul.”
Or “prescribed.”