Job 23
English Standard Version
Job Replies: Where Is God?
23 Then Job answered and said:
2 “Today also my (A)complaint is bitter;[a]
my (B)hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
3 Oh, (C)that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his (D)seat!
4 I would (E)lay my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know what he would answer me
and understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he (F)contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; he would pay attention to me.
7 There an upright man could argue with him,
and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
8 “Behold, (G)I go forward, but he is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive him;
9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
10 But he (H)knows (I)the way that I (J)take;
when he has (K)tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11 My foot (L)has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have (M)not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have (N)treasured the words of his mouth more than my (O)portion of food.
13 But he is unchangeable,[b] and (P)who can turn him back?
What he (Q)desires, that he does.
14 For he will complete what he (R)appoints for me,
and many such things are (S)in his mind.
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence;
when I consider, I am in dread of him.
16 God has made my (T)heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;
17 yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,
nor because thick darkness covers my face.
Job 23
International Standard Version
Job Responds to Eliphaz
23 Job’s response was to say:
2 “I’m still complaining bitterly today;
my hand is heavy because of groaning.
3 If only I knew where to find him,
I would visit him where he has taken his seat.
4 I would lay out my case before him;
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I know how he would answer me;
I understand what he’ll tell me.
6 “Would he use his great power to fight me?
No, he’ll pay attention to me.
7 In that place, the upright can reason with him;
and I’ll be acquitted once and for all by my judge.”
Job Justifies His Innocence
8 “Look! If I go east,[a] he isn’t there!
If I go to the west,[b] I don’t perceive him.
9 If he’s working in the north,[c] I can’t observe him;[d]
If he turns south,[e] I can’t see him.[f]
10 Because he knows the road on which I travel,
when he had tested me, I’ll come out like gold.
11 My feet stay where his footsteps lead;
I kept on his pathway and haven’t turned aside.
12 I haven’t wandered away from the commands that he has spoken;[g]
I’ve treasured what he has said[h] more than my own meals.”
Job Stands Petrified Before God
13 “But he is One—who can change him?
He does whatever he wants to do.
14 He’ll complete what he has planned for me;
he has many things in mind for me!
15 That’s why I’m terrified at his presence!
When I think about it, I’m afraid of him.
16 God has caused me to faint;[i]
the Almighty makes me terrified!
17 Nevertheless, I haven’t been silenced because of the darkness,
even when thick darkness obscures my vision.”[j]
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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