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.
Job
1Then Job replied:
2‘Even today my complaint is bitter;
his hand23:2 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew / the hand on me is heavy in spite of23:2 Or heavy on me in my groaning.
3If only I knew where to find him;
if only I could go to his dwelling!
4I would state my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5I would find out what he would answer me,
and consider what he would say to me.
6Would he vigorously oppose me with great power?
No, he would not press charges against me.
7There the upright can establish their innocence before him,
and there I would be delivered for ever from my judge.
8‘But if I go to the east, he is not there;
if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
10But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
11My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.
12I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
13‘But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?
He does whatever he pleases.
14He carries out his decree against me,
and many such plans he still has in store.
15That is why I am terrified before him;
when I think of all this, I fear him.
16God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me.
17Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,
by the thick darkness that covers my face.
