Job 23
23
Job’s Seventh Reply. 1Then Job answered and said:
2Today especially my complaint is bitter,
his hand is heavy upon me in my groanings.
3Would that I knew how to find him,
that I might come to his dwelling!
4I would set out my case before him,
fill my mouth with arguments;
5I would learn the words he would answer me,
understand what he would say to me.
6Would he contend against me with his great power?
No, he himself would heed me!
7There an upright man might argue with him,
and I would once and for all be delivered from my judge.
8But if I go east, he is not there;#Job’s confident desire to confront God (vv. 2–7, contrary to his fears in 9:14–20 and 13:21–27) gives way to his dark night: God’s absence (vv. 8–9), which also terrifies (vv. 13–17).
or west, I cannot perceive him;
9The north enfolds him, and I cannot catch sight of him;
The south hides him, and I cannot see him.
10Yet he knows my way;
if he tested me, I should come forth like gold.#Ps 66:10; Prv 17:3; Mal 3:3; 1 Pt 1:7.
11My foot has always walked in his steps;
I have kept his way and not turned aside.
12From the commands of his lips I have not departed;
the words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart.
13But once he decides, who can contradict him?
What he desires, that he does.#Jb 42:2; Ps 115:3; 135:6.
14For he will carry out what is appointed for me,
and many such things he has in store.
15Therefore I am terrified before him;
when I take thought, I dread him.
16For it is God who has made my heart faint,
the Almighty who has terrified me.
17Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness,
hidden by the thick gloom before me.
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Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
Job 23
23
Job Says He Longs for God
1Then Job answered and said,
2“Even today my complaint is contentious;
His hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3“Oh, that I knew where I might find Him,
That I might [even] come to His seat!
4“I would present my cause before Him
And fill my mouth with arguments.
5“I would learn the words which He would answer,
And understand what He would say to me.
6“Would He contend against me with His great power?
No, surely He would give attention to me. [Is 27:4, 5; 57:16]
7“There the righteous and upright could reason with Him;
So I would be acquitted forever by my Judge.
8¶“Behold, I go forward (to the east), but He is not there;
I go backward (to the west), but I cannot perceive Him;
9To the left (north) He turns, but I cannot behold Him;
He turns to the right hand (south), but I cannot see Him.
10“But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it].
When He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold [pure and luminous]. [Ps 17:3; 66:10; James 1:12]
11“My feet have carefully followed His steps;
I have kept His ways and not turned aside.
12“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;
I have kept the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
13“But He is unique and unchangeable, and who can turn Him?
And what His soul desires, that He does.
14“For He performs what is planned (appointed) for me,
And He is mindful of many such things.
15“Therefore I would be terrified at His presence;
When I consider [all of this], I tremble in dread of Him.
16“For God has made my heart faint,
And the Almighty has terrified me,
17But I am not silenced by the darkness [of these woes that fell on me],
Nor by the thick darkness which covers my face.
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