Job 23
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 23
Job’s Seventh Reply. 1 Then Job answered and said:
2 Today especially my complaint is bitter,
his hand is heavy upon me in my groanings.
3 Would that I knew how to find him,
that I might come to his dwelling!
4 I would set out my case before him,
fill my mouth with arguments;
5 I would learn the words he would answer me,
understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he contend against me with his great power?
No, he himself would heed me!
7 There an upright man might argue with him,
and I would once and for all be delivered from my judge.
8 But if I go east, he is not there;[a]
or west, I cannot perceive him;
9 The north enfolds him, and I cannot catch sight of him;
The south hides him, and I cannot see him.
10 Yet he knows my way;
if he tested me, I should come forth like gold.(A)
11 My foot has always walked in his steps;
I have kept his way and not turned aside.
12 From the commands of his lips I have not departed;
the words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart.
13 But once he decides, who can contradict him?
What he desires, that he does.(B)
14 For he will carry out what is appointed for me,
and many such things he has in store.
15 Therefore I am terrified before him;
when I take thought, I dread him.
16 For it is God who has made my heart faint,
the Almighty who has terrified me.
17 Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness,
hidden by the thick gloom before me.
Job 23
21st Century King James Version
23 Then Job answered and said:
2 “Even today 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 place 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 of 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.
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