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 23
English Standard Version
Job Replies: Where Is God?
1Then Job answered and said:2“Today also my complaint is bitter;[1] my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. (Job 10:1; Job 21:4; Ps 32:4)3Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! (Job 13:3; Job 16:21; Ps 9:7; Isa 57:15)4I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. (Job 33:5)5I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me.6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me. (Job 9:34; Job 13:21)7There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.8“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; (Job 9:11; Job 35:14)9on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.10But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. (Job 9:35; Ps 17:3; Ps 26:2; Ps 66:10; Ps 139:1; Ps 139:23; Ps 139:24; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:3; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 1:7; Re 3:18)11My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. (Ps 17:5; Ps 44:18; Ps 125:5)12I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. (Ps 119:11; Ps 119:103; Joh 4:32; Joh 4:34)13But he is unchangeable,[2] and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. (Job 9:12; Job 12:14; Ps 115:3)14For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind. (Job 10:13; Job 27:11; 1Th 3:3)15Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him.16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; (De 20:3; Ps 22:14)17yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face.