23:1 THEN JOB answered, |
23:2 Even today is my complaint rebellious {and} bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning. |
23:3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat! |
23:4 I would lay my cause before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. |
23:5 I would learn what He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me. |
23:6 Would He plead against me with His great power? No, He would give heed to me. |
23:7 There the righteous [one who is upright and in right standing with God] could reason with Him; so I should be acquitted by my Judge forever. |
23:8 Behold, I go forward [and to the east], but He is not there; I go backward [and to the west], but I cannot perceive Him; |
23:9 On the left hand [and to the north] where He works [I seek Him], but I cannot behold Him; He turns Himself to the right hand [and to the south], but I cannot see Him. |
23:10 But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. |
23:11 My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside. |
23:12 I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed {and} treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. |
23:13 But He is unchangeable, and who can turn Him? And what He wants to do, that He does. |
23:14 For He performs [that which He has] planned for me, and of many such matters He is mindful. |
23:15 Therefore am I troubled {and} terrified at His presence; when I consider, I am in dread {and} afraid of Him. |
23:16 For God has made my heart faint, timid, {and} broken, and the Almighty has terrified me, |
23:17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness [of these woes befell me], neither has He covered the thick darkness from my face. |