1Then Job answered and said, 2Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.23.2 stroke: Heb. hand 3Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! 4I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. 5I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. 6Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. 7There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 9On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: 10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.23.10 that…: Heb. that is with me 11My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. 12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.23.12 esteemed: Heb. hid, or, laid up23.12 my…: or, my appointed portion
13But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. 14For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. 15Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. 16For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: 17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Job’s Reply
1Job replied,
2“Even today my problems are more than I can handle.
In spite of my groans, God’s hand is heavy on me.
3I wish I knew where I could find him!
I wish I could go to the place where he lives!
4I would state my case to him.
I’d give him all my arguments.
5I’d find out what his answers would be.
I’d think about what he would say to me.
6Would he strongly oppose me?
No. He wouldn’t bring charges against me.
7There honest people can prove to him they’re not guilty.
There my Judge would tell me once and for all that I’m not guilty.
8“But if I go to the east, God isn’t there.
If I go to the west, I don’t find him.
9When he’s working in the north, I don’t see him there.
When he turns to the south, I don’t see him there either.
10But he knows every step I take.
When he has tested me,
I’ll come out as pure as gold.
11My feet have closely followed his steps.
I’ve stayed on his path without turning away.
12I haven’t disobeyed his commands.
I’ve treasured his words more than my daily bread.
13“But he’s the only God. Who can oppose him?
He does anything he wants to do.
14He carries out his plans against me.
And he still has many other plans just like them.
15That’s why I’m so terrified.
When I think about all of this, I’m afraid of him.
16God has made my heart weak.
The Mighty One has filled me with terror.
17But even the darkness of death won’t make me silent.
When the darkness of the grave covers my face, I won’t be quiet.
