Job Chapter 23

Job 22:21-30

1 Job answered:

2 “My complaint is still bitter;

God’s hand weighs heavily on me despite my groaning.

3 If only I knew where to find him

so I could go to his courtroom!

4 I’d present my case

and offer my arguments.

5 I’d find out what he’d answer

and understand what he’d say.

6 Would he oppose me with his great power?

No, he’d listen!

7 Someone godly would be reasoning with him,

and my Judge would acquit me permanently.

Job 23:1-7

8 “I go east, but he’s not there;

I go west, but I can’t find him.

9 When he acts in the north, I can’t see it;

when he turns to the south, he’s hidden there too.

10 But he knows where I’m going;

when he tests me, I’ll come out like pure gold.

11 I’ve stayed close to his steps

and kept to his ways without turning aside.

12 I haven’t veered off from his commands;

I’ve treasured up what he says more than food.

13 But once he’s made up his mind, who can change it?

He’ll go ahead and do to me what he wants.

14 He’ll fulfill his plans;   

he has intentions for my whole destiny.

15 So I’m intimidated by him;

when I think about all this, it scares me.

16 It’s God that’s made my heart faint,

the Almighty that’s terrified me.

17 Yet the darkness doesn’t silence me

or the deep gloom that covers me.                       

Job 23:8-17

From the CYV translation by Virgil Warren, PhD