Job 23
World English Bible
23 Then Job answered,
2 “Even today my complaint is rebellious.
His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him!
That I might come even to his seat!
4 I would set my cause in order before him,
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me,
and understand what he would tell me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No, but he would listen to me.
7 There the upright might reason with him,
so I should be delivered forever from my judge.
8 “If I go east, he is not there;
if west, I can’t find him;
9 He works to the north, but I can’t see him.
He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.
10 But he knows the way that I take.
When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps.
I have kept his way, and not turned away.
12 I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips.
I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13 But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?
What his soul desires, even that he does.
14 For he performs that which is appointed for me.
Many such things are with him.
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence.
When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 For God has made my heart faint.
The Almighty has terrified me.
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness,
neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
Job 23
Lexham English Bible
Job’s Eighth Speech: A Response to Eliphaz
23 Then[a] Job answered and said,
2 “Even today my complaint is bitter;
my hand is heavy in addition to my groaning.
3 O that[b] I knew and that I might find him;
O that I might come to his dwelling.
4 I would lay my case before him,[c]
and I would fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I want to know the words with which he would answer me,
and I want to understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his strength?
No, but he himself[d] would give heed to me.
7 There an upright person could reason with him,
and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
8 “When I go forward, he is not there,[e]
or[f] backward, I cannot see him.[g]
9 When he works[h] on the left, I cannot perceive[i] him;
he turns to the right, but[j] I cannot see him.
10 But he knows the way that I take;[k]
he tests me—I shall come out like gold.
11 My foot has held on to his steps;
I have kept his way, and I have not turned aside.
12 From the commandment of his lips, indeed[l] I have not departed;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily food.
13 “But[m] he is alone,[n] and who can dissuade him?
And whatever he desires,[o] indeed,[p] he does it.
14 For he will carry out what he appoints for me,[q]
and many things like these are with him.
15 Therefore, I am horrified because of his presence;
when I consider, I tremble[r] because of him.
16 Indeed,[s] God has made my heart faint,
and Shaddai has terrified me.
17 Indeed, I have not been silenced because of darkness,[t]
and because of me he[u] conceals thick darkness.
Footnotes
- Job 23:1 Hebrew “And”
- Job 23:3 Literally “Who shall give”
- Job 23:4 Literally “to his face”
- Job 23:6 Emphatic personal pronoun
- Job 23:8 Literally “and there is not he,” or “and he is not”
- Job 23:8 Hebrew “and”
- Job 23:8 Hebrew “and I cannot see him”
- Job 23:9 Literally “At his working”
- Job 23:9 Literally “and I cannot see”
- Job 23:9 Hebrew “and”
- Job 23:10 Literally “way with me”
- Job 23:12 Hebrew “and”
- Job 23:13 Hebrew “And”
- Job 23:13 Literally “as one”
- Job 23:13 Literally “his inner self desires,” or “his soul desires”
- Job 23:13 Hebrew “and”
- Job 23:14 Literally “my portion,” or “my allotment”
- Job 23:15 Hebrew “and I tremble,” or “then I tremble”
- Job 23:16 Hebrew “And”
- Job 23:17 Literally “from the face of darkness”
- Job 23:17 Or “it”
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