Add parallel Print Page Options

Job Replies: My Complaint Is Bitter

23 Then Job answered:

“Today also my complaint is bitter;[a]
    his[b] hand is heavy despite my groaning.(A)
Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
    that I might come even to his dwelling!(B)
I would lay my case before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.(C)
I would learn what he would answer me
    and understand what he would say to me.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
    No, but he would give heed to me.
There the upright could reason with him,
    and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.(D)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 23.2 Syr Vg Tg: Heb rebellious
  2. 23.2 Gk Syr: Heb my

Job’s Eighth Speech: A Response to Eliphaz

23 Then[a] Job answered and said,

“Even today my complaint is bitter;
my hand is heavy in addition to my groaning.
O that[b] I knew and that I might find him;
O that I might come to his dwelling.
I would lay my case before him,[c]
and I would fill my mouth with arguments.
I want to know the words with which he would answer me,
and I want to understand what he would say to me.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his strength?
No, but he himself[d] would give heed to me.
There an upright person could reason with him,
and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Job 23:1 Hebrew “And”
  2. Job 23:3 Literally “Who shall give”
  3. Job 23:4 Literally “to his face”
  4. Job 23:6 Emphatic personal pronoun