Job 23

International Children’s Bible

² “My complaint is still strong today.
    God’s hand is heavy against me even though I am groaning.
³ I wish I knew where to find God.
    I wish I could go to where he lives.
⁴ I would present my case before him.
    I would fill my mouth with arguments.
⁵ I would know the words of his answer.
    And I would think about what he would say.
⁶ He would not come against me with great power.
    He would really listen to me.
⁷ Then an honest person could present his case to God.
    And I would be saved forever from my judge.

⁸ “If I go to the east, God is not there.
    And if I go to the west, I do not see him there.
⁹ When he is at work in the north, I catch no sight of him.
    And when he turns to the south, I cannot see him.
¹⁰ But God knows the way that I take.
    When he has tested me, I will come out pure as gold.
¹¹ My feet have closely followed his steps.
    I have stayed in his way without turning aside.
¹² I have never left the commands he has spoken.
    I have treasured his words more than my food.

¹³ “But he is the only God.
    No one can come against him.
    He does anything he wants.
¹⁴ He will do to me what he said he would do.
    And he has many plans like this.
¹⁵ That is why I am so afraid before him.
    When I think of all this, I am afraid of him.
¹⁶ God has made me afraid.
    God All-Powerful has made me terribly afraid.
¹⁷ But I am not cut off by the darkness,
    by the thick darkness that covers my face.