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23 ¶ Then Job answered and said,

Today I will also speak with bitterness; my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

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

I would order judgment before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would know the words which he would answer me and understand what he would say unto me.

Will he plead against me with his great power? No, but rather he would put it in me.

There the righteous might dispute with him; and should I escape for ever from the one who condemns me.

¶ Behold, I shall go to the east and not find him; and to the west, but I cannot perceive him;

if he is working to the north, I shall not see him; to the south, he hides himself, that I shall not see him.

10 But he has known the way that I take; he has tried me, and I have come forth as gold.

11 My feet have held to his steps, I have kept his way, and have not departed.

12 Neither have I separated myself from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

13 ¶ But if he determines something, who can turn him? His soul desired it, and he did it.

14 Therefore, he will finish that which is necessary for me; and there are many such things in him.

15 Therefore, I shall fear before his face; I shall consider, and I shall fear him.

16 For God has made my heart tender, and the Almighty has frightened me.

17 Why was I not cut off before the darkness, neither has he covered my face with the darkness.

Job

23 Then Job replied:

“Even today my complaint(A) is bitter;(B)
    his hand[a] is heavy in spite of[b] my groaning.(C)
If only I knew where to find him;
    if only I could go to his dwelling!(D)
I would state my case(E) before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.(F)
I would find out what he would answer me,(G)
    and consider what he would say to me.
Would he vigorously oppose me?(H)
    No, he would not press charges against me.(I)
There the upright(J) can establish their innocence before him,(K)
    and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.(L)

“But if I go to the east, he is not there;
    if I go to the west, I do not find him.
When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
    when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.(M)
10 But he knows the way that I take;(N)
    when he has tested me,(O) I will come forth as gold.(P)
11 My feet have closely followed his steps;(Q)
    I have kept to his way without turning aside.(R)
12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips;(S)
    I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.(T)

13 “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?(U)
    He does whatever he pleases.(V)
14 He carries out his decree against me,
    and many such plans he still has in store.(W)
15 That is why I am terrified before him;(X)
    when I think of all this, I fear him.(Y)
16 God has made my heart faint;(Z)
    the Almighty(AA) has terrified me.(AB)
17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,(AC)
    by the thick darkness that covers my face.

Footnotes

  1. Job 23:2 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew / the hand on me
  2. Job 23:2 Or heavy on me in