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.
Iyov 23
Orthodox Jewish Bible
23 Then Iyov answered and said,
2 Even hayom (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 techunah (abode)!
4 I would order my mishpat (cause) before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which He would answer me, and have binah of what He would say unto me.
6 Will He contend against me with His great koach? No, but He would pay heed to me.
7 There the yashar might dispute with Him; so should I be delivered forever from my Shofet (Judge).
8 Hen (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 yamin (on the right hand), that I cannot see Him;
10 But He knoweth the derech that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as zahav.
11 My regel hath held to His steps, over His way have I been shomer, and not turned aside.
12 Neither have I gone back from the mitzvah of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my appointed portion.
13 But He stands alone, and who can turn Him? And what His nefesh desireth, even that He doeth.
14 For He accomplisheth the thing that is appointed for me; and rabbot (many) such things are with Him.
15 Al-ken (therefore) am I troubled at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.
16 For El maketh my lev dejected, and Shaddai troubleth me,
17 Because I was not cut off from before the choshech, neither hath He hidden deep darkness from my face.
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