Add parallel Print Page Options

Job Replies: My Complaint Is Bitter

23 Then Job answered:

“Today also my complaint is bitter;[a]
    his[b] hand is heavy despite my groaning.(A)
Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
    that I might come even to his dwelling!(B)
I would lay my case before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.(C)
I would learn what he would answer me
    and understand what he would say to me.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
    No, but he would give heed to me.
There the upright could reason with him,
    and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.(D)

“If I go forward, he is not there;
    or backward, I cannot perceive him;(E)
on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him;
    I turn[c] to the right, but I cannot see him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 23.2 Syr Vg Tg: Heb rebellious
  2. 23.2 Gk Syr: Heb my
  3. 23.9 Syr Vg: Heb he turns

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)

“But if I go to the east, he is not there;
    if I go to the west, I do not find him.
When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
    when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.(M)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

16 God has made my heart faint;
    the Almighty[a] has terrified me.(A)
17 If only I could vanish in darkness,
    and thick darkness would cover my face![b](B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 23.16 Traditional rendering of Heb Shaddai
  2. 23.17 Or But I am not destroyed by the darkness; he has concealed the thick darkness from me

16 God has made my heart faint;(A)
    the Almighty(B) has terrified me.(C)
17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,(D)
    by the thick darkness that covers my face.

Read full chapter