Job 23

1 Then Job replied again,

Then Job answered and said,

2 “Today I am again complaining bitterly/strongly [to God]; I [continue] groaning, but he [SYN] [continues to] (punish me/cause me to suffer).

Even today is my complaint rebellious: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3 I (wish that I knew/want to know) where I could meet/talk with him, so that I could go to the place where he lives.

Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!

4 If I could do that, I would tell him why [I know that] I am innocent; I would tell [MTY] to him all my (arguments/evidence [to show that I have not done what is evil]).

I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 Then I would find out what he would reply to me [DOU].

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

6 Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would listen to me carefully.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

7 I am (an honest/a righteous) man; so I would be able to discuss things with him [fairly], and then he would declare that I am innocent, [and that decision would endure] forever.

There the upright might reason with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

8 “But, I have gone to the east, and he is not there; I have gone to the west, but I have not found him there.

Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

9 I have gone north and I have gone south, but I have not seen him anywhere.

On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

10 But he knows how I have conducted my life; and when he has finished testing me, [he] will [see that] I [am] as pure as [SIM] gold [whose impurities have all been burned out].

But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 I [SYN] have faithfully walked on the path that he showed me; I have not stopped [obeying] him.

My foot hath held fast to his steps; his way have I kept, and turned not aside.

12 I have always obeyed what he [SYN] commanded; I have treasured the words that he has spoken.

I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

13 “He never changes. There is no one who can [RHQ] stop him [from doing what he desires]. Whatever he wants to do, he does.

But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

14 And he will finish doing for me the things that he has planned for me; [and I am sure that] he has thought about doing many things for me.

For he performeth that which is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

15 So I am terrified in his presence; when I think [about what he can do], I am very afraid [DOU].

Therefore am I troubled at his presence; when I consider, I am afraid of him.

16 Almighty God has caused me [SYN] to feel terrified [DOU].

For God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath troubled me:

17 [It is as though] there is only thick darkness in front of me, but it is God that I am afraid of, not the darkness.”

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.