Hiob 23 | New International Reader’s Version

Job’s reply

1 Job replied,

2 ‘Even today my problems are more than I can handle. In spite of my groans, God’s hand is heavy on me.

3 I wish I knew where I could find him! I wish I could go to the place where he lives!

4 I would state my case to him. I’d give him all my arguments.

5 I’d find out what his answers would be. I’d think about what he would say to me.

6 Would he strongly oppose me? No. He wouldn’t bring charges against me.

7 There honest people can prove to him they’re not guilty. There my Judge would tell me once and for all that I’m not guilty.

8 ‘But if I go to the east, God isn’t there. If I go to the west, I don’t find him.

9 When he’s working in the north, I don’t see him there. When he turns to the south, I don’t see him there either.

10 But he knows every step I take. When he has tested me, I’ll come out as pure as gold.

11 My feet have closely followed his steps. I’ve stayed on his path without turning away.

12 I haven’t disobeyed his commands. I’ve treasured his words more than my daily bread.

13 ‘But he’s the only God. Who can oppose him? He does anything he wants to do.

14 He carries out his plans against me. And he still has many other plans just like them.

15 That’s why I’m so terrified. When I think about all of this, I’m afraid of him.

16 God has made my heart weak. The Mighty One has filled me with terror.

17 But even the darkness of death won’t make me silent. When the darkness of the grave covers my face, I won’t be quiet.

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English Standard Version

Job Replies: Where Is God?

1 Then Job answered and said:

2 “Today also my complaint is bitter;* my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.

3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!

4 I would 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 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, 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 knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

11 My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.

12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

13 But he is unchangeable,* and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.

14 For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are 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 heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me;

17 yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face.

The ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®) copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV^® Text Edition: 2016. The ESV^® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. The ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.