Parallel Bible results for "Job 23"

Job 23

1 Then Job replied [to his friends],

1 Then Job replied:

2 "My complaint is bitter again today. I try hard to control my sighing.

2 “Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

3 "If only I knew where I could find God! I would go where he lives.

3 If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!

4 I would present [my] case to him. I would have a mouthful of arguments.

4 I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I want to know the words he would use to answer me. I want to understand the things he would say to me.

5 I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me.

6 Would he sue me and hide behind great legal maneuvers? No, he certainly would press charges against me.

6 Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me.

7 Then decent people could argue with him, and I would escape my judgment forever.

7 There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.

8 However, if I go east, he isn't there. If I go west, I can't find him.

8 “But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.

9 If I go northward, where he is at work, I can't observe him. If I turn southward, I can't see him.

9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.

10 [I can't find him] because he knows the road I take. When he tests me, I'll come out as pure as gold.

10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

11 I have followed his footsteps closely. I have stayed on his path and did not turn from it.

11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

12 I have not left his commands behind. I have treasured his words in my heart.

12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

13 "But God is one of a kind. Who can make him change his mind? He does whatever he wants!

13 “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases.

14 He will carry out [his] orders concerning me as he does with so many other things.

14 He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store.

15 That is why I'm terrified of him. When I think of it, I'm afraid of him.

15 That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.

16 God has discouraged me. The Almighty has filled me with terror.

16 God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

17 But I am not silenced by the dark or by the thick darkness that covers my face.

17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.