Job 23:1-9

1 Et Job prit la parole, et dit:

2 Maintenant encore ma plainte est une révolte, et pourtant ma main comprime mes soupirs.

3 Oh! si je savais où le trouver, j'irais jusqu'à son trône,

4 J'exposerais ma cause devant lui, et je remplirais ma bouche de preuves

5 Je saurais ce qu'il me répondrait, et je comprendrais ce qu'il me dirait.

6 Contesterait-il avec moi dans la grandeur de sa force? Non, seulement il ferait attention à moi.

7 Ce serait alors un juste qui raisonnerait avec lui, et je serais absous pour toujours par mon juge.

8 Voici, si je vais à l'Orient, il n'y est pas; si je vais à l'Occident, je ne le découvre pas.

9 Est-il occupé au Nord, je ne le vois pas. Se cache-t-il au Midi, je ne l'aperçois pas.

Job 23:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 23

This and the following chapter contain Job's reply to the last oration of Eliphaz; in this he first declares his present sorrowful estate and condition, Job 23:1,2; wishes he knew where to find God, as a judge sitting on a throne, before whom he might lay his cause, and plead it, and have his judgment and final decision passed upon it; when he doubted not but he would deal favourably with him, and both admit him and strengthen him, to plead his own cause, and would acquit him for ever from the charges laid against him, Job 23:3-7; in order to which he sought for him everywhere, but could not find him, but contents himself with this, that God knew his way; and that, after trial of him, he should shine like pure gold, and appear to be no apostate from him, but one sincerely obedient to his commands, and a true lover of his word, Job 23:8-12; and as for his afflictions, they were the result of the unalterable purposes and appointments of God: but what gave him the greatest uneasiness was, that there were more of that sort yet to come, which filled him with fears and faintings, with trouble and darkness, Job 23:13-17.