Job 23
The Message
Job’s Defense
I’m Completely in the Dark
23 1-7 Job replied:
“I’m not letting up—I’m standing my ground.
My complaint is legitimate.
God has no right to treat me like this—
it isn’t fair!
If I knew where on earth to find him,
I’d go straight to him.
I’d lay my case before him face-to-face,
give him all my arguments firsthand.
I’d find out exactly what he’s thinking,
discover what’s going on in his head.
Do you think he’d dismiss me or bully me?
No, he’d take me seriously.
He’d see a straight-living man standing before him;
my Judge would acquit me for good of all charges.
8-9 “I travel East looking for him—I find no one;
then West, but not a trace;
I go North, but he’s hidden his tracks;
then South, but not even a glimpse.
10-12 “But he knows where I am and what I’ve done.
He can cross-examine me all he wants, and I’ll pass the test with honors.
I’ve followed him closely, my feet in his footprints,
not once swerving from his way.
I’ve obeyed every word he’s spoken,
and not just obeyed his advice—I’ve treasured it.
13-17 “But he is singular and sovereign. Who can argue with him?
He does what he wants, when he wants to.
He’ll complete in detail what he’s decided about me,
and whatever else he determines to do.
Is it any wonder that I dread meeting him?
Whenever I think about it, I get scared all over again.
God makes my heart sink!
God Almighty gives me the shudders!
I’m completely in the dark,
I can’t see my hand in front of my face.”
Job 23
Christian Standard Bible
Job’s Reply to Eliphaz
23 Then Job answered:
2 Today also my complaint is bitter.[a](A)
His[b] hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 If only I knew how to find him,
so that I could go to his throne.
4 I would plead my case before him(B)
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would learn how[c] he would answer me;
and understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he prosecute(C) me forcefully?
No, he would certainly pay attention to me.
7 Then an upright man could reason(D) with him,
and I would escape from my Judge[d](E) forever.
8 If I go east, he is not there,
and if I go west, I cannot perceive him.(F)
9 When he is at work to the north, I cannot see him;
when he turns south, I cannot find him.
10 Yet he knows the way I have taken;[e]
when he has tested me,(G) I will emerge as pure gold.
11 My feet have followed in his tracks;
I have kept to his way(H) and not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from the commands from his lips;
I have treasured[f] the words(I) from his mouth
more than my daily food.
13 But he is unchangeable; who can oppose him?
He does what he desires.(J)
14 He will certainly accomplish what he has decreed for me,
and he has many more things like these in mind.[g]
15 Therefore I am terrified(K) in his presence;
when I consider this, I am afraid of him.
16 God has made my heart faint;(L)
the Almighty has terrified me.
17 Yet I am not destroyed[h] by the darkness,(M)
by the thick darkness that covers my face.
Jób 23
Hungarian Bible: Easy-to-Read Version
Jób hetedik válasza
23 Jób erre így felelt:
2 „Panaszom még mindig keserű,
mert Isten keze nehezedik rám.
3 Ó, bárcsak tudnám, merre keressem őt!
Elmennék egészen trónusáig,
4 elé terjeszteném ügyemet,
bebizonyítanám ártatlanságom előtte.
5 Bárcsak megtudhatnám, mit felelne nekem,
s megérthetném, hogyan válaszol!
6 Vajon erejét fordítaná ellenem?
Nem hiszem! De meghallgatna, az bizonyos!
7 Trónja előtt az ártatlan szabadon védekezhet,
s tudom, végül felmentene bírám!
8 De jaj, ha keletre megyek, nem találom őt,
ha nyugatnak indulok, Istent ott sem lelem!
9 Ha északon rejtőzik, meg nem láthatom,
ha dél felé fordul, ott sem veszem észre.
10 De ő ismer engem, látja minden lépésemet,
s ha próbára tesz, úgy kerülök ki kezéből,
mint a megtisztított arany!
11 Lábnyomát követtem egész életemben,
ösvényeiről nem tértem le soha.
12 Parancsának engedelmeskedtem,
szavait szívembe rejtettem.
13 De ő mindig ugyanaz marad,
s tervétől senki el nem térítheti.
Amit elhatározott, véghez is viszi.
14 Bizony, Isten véghezviszi, amit felőlem tervezett!
S tudom, sok terve van még velem.
15 Ezért reszketek színe előtt,
ha belegondolok, félelemtől remegek.
16 Mert Isten rémített meg engem,
a Mindenható félelme szállt rám.
17 Ami velem történt, sötét felhőként borul fölém,
s eltakarja arcomat, mégsem hallgatok!”
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
Copyright © 2003, 2012 by World Bible Translation Center