Job 23

Job Replies: Where Is God?

1 Then Job answered and said:

2  “Today also my a complaint is bitter; ▼
▼ Or defiant

my c hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
 3 Oh d that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his e seat!
 4 I would f lay my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
 5 I would know what he would answer me
and understand what he would say to me.
 6 Would he g contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; he would pay attention to me.
 7 There an upright man could argue with him,
and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
 8  “Behold, h I go forward, but he is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive him;
 9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
 10 But he i knows j the way that I k take;
when he has l tried me, I shall come out as gold.
 11 My foot m has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have n not turned aside.
 12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have o treasured the words of his mouth more than my p portion of food.
 13 But he is unchangeable ▼
▼ Or one
 and r who can turn him back?
What he s desires, that he does.
 14 For he will complete what he t appoints for me,
and many such things are u in his mind.
 15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence;
when I consider, I am in dread of him.
 16 God has made my v heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;
 17 yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,
nor because thick darkness covers my face.
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