Job Says He Longs for God

23 Then Job responded,

“Even today my (A)complaint is rebellion;
[a]His hand is (B)heavy despite my groaning.
Oh that I knew how to find Him,
That I might come to His home!
I would (C)present my case before Him
And fill my mouth with arguments.
I would learn the words which He would [b]answer,
And perceive what He would tell me.
Would He contend with me by (D)the greatness of His power?
No, surely He would pay attention to me.
There the upright would (E)argue with Him;
And I [c]would be (F)free of my Judge forever.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 23:2 As in LXX and Syriac; MT My
  2. Job 23:5 Lit answer me
  3. Job 23:7 Or bring forth my justice forever

Grant me a trial

23 Job answered:

Today my complaint is again bitter;[a]
    my strength is weighed down because of my groaning.
Oh, that I could know how to find him—
    come to his dwelling place;
    I would lay out my case before him,
        fill my mouth with arguments,
    know the words with which he would answer,
        understand what he would say to me.
Would he contend with me through brute force?
    No, he would surely listen to me.
There those who do the right thing can argue with him;
    I could escape from my judge forever.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 23:2 Vulg, Syr, Tg; MT my complaint is rebellious.

Job

23 Then Job replied:

“Even today my complaint(A) is bitter;(B)
    his hand[a] is heavy in spite of[b] my groaning.(C)
If only I knew where to find him;
    if only I could go to his dwelling!(D)
I would state my case(E) before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.(F)
I would find out what he would answer me,(G)
    and consider what he would say to me.
Would he vigorously oppose me?(H)
    No, he would not press charges against me.(I)
There the upright(J) can establish their innocence before him,(K)
    and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 23:2 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew / the hand on me
  2. Job 23:2 Or heavy on me in