Job 23
Easy-to-Read Version
Job Answers
23 Then Job answered:
2 “I am still complaining today.
I groan because God is still making me suffer.
3 I wish I knew where to find him.
I wish I knew how to go to where he lives.
4 I would present my case to him.
I would make my arguments to show that I am innocent.
5 He could give his response, and I would understand.
I would listen closely to what he says.
6 Would God use his power against me?
No, he would listen to me!
7 Since I am an honest man, he would let me tell my story.
Then my Judge would set me free!
8 “If I go to the east, God is not there.
If I go to the west, I still don’t see him.
9 When he is working in the north, I don’t see him.
When he turns to the south, I still don’t see him.
10 But God knows me.
He is testing me and will see that I am as pure as gold.
11 I have always lived the way God wants.
I have never stopped following him.
12 I always obey his commands.
I love the words from his mouth more than I love my food.
13 “But God never changes,
and who can stand against him?
He does anything he wants.
14 He will do to me what he planned,
and he has many other plans for me.
15 That is why I am terrified to stand before him.
Just thinking about it makes me afraid.
16 The fear of God has made me lose my courage.
God All-Powerful makes me afraid.
17 What has happened to me is like a dark cloud over my face.
But the darkness will not keep me quiet.
Job 23
New Life Version
Job Talks
23 Then Job answered, 2 “Even today my complaining is bitter. His hand is heavy even when I cry inside myself. 3 If only I knew where to find Him, that I might go where He is! 4 I would tell Him how things are with me, and my mouth would be ready to argue. 5 I would know His answer, and could think about what He would say to me. 6 Would He go against me using His great power? No, He would listen to me. 7 There a man who is right could reason with Him. And I would be set free by my Judge.
8 “See, I go east, but He is not there. I go west, but I cannot see Him. 9 When He works to the left, I cannot see Him. When He turns to the right, I cannot see Him. 10 But He knows the way that I take. When He has tried me, I will come out as gold. 11 My foot has kept close to His steps. I have kept His way and have not turned aside. 12 I have not turned away from the words of His lips. I have stored up the words of His mouth. They are worth more to me than the food I need. 13 But He cannot be changed. Who can go against Him? He does whatever He wants. 14 For He does what He has planned for me, and many such things are in His mind. 15 So I am afraid to be with Him. When I think about it, I am very afraid of Him. 16 God has made my heart weak. The All-powerful has filled me with fear. 17 But I am not made quiet by the darkness or the deep shadow which covers my face.
Job 23
King James Version
23 Then Job answered and said,
2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International
Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.