Job

The book of Job, chapter 23, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 23 New English Translation

Job's Reply to Eliphaz

   1 Then Job answered:
   2 "Even today my complaint is still bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
   3 O that I knew where I might find him, that I could come to his place of residence!
   4 I would lay out my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
   5 I would know with what words he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
   6 Would he contend with me with great power? No, he would only pay attention to me.
   7 There an upright person could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge.

The Inaccessibility and Power of God

   8 "If I go to the east, he is not there, and to the west, yet I do not perceive him.
   9 In the north when he is at work, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I see no trace of him.
   10 But he knows the pathway that I take; if he tested me, I would come forth like gold.
   11 My feet have followed his steps closely; I have kept to his way and have not turned aside.
   12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion.
   13 But he is unchangeable, and who can change him? Whatever he has desired, he does.
   14 For he fulfills his decree against me, and many such things are his plans.
   15 That is why I am terrified in his presence; when I consider, I am afraid because of him.
   16 Indeed, God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.
   17 Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness, because of the thick darkness that covered my face.

King James Version

   1 Then Job answered and said,
   2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
   3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
   4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
   5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
   6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
   7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
   8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
   9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
   10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
   11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
   12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
   13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
   14 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
   15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
   16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
   17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.