Common English Bible CEB
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Job answered:
1
Then Job answered:
2 Today my complaint is again bitter; my strength is weighed down because of my groaning.
2
"Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 Oh, that I could know how to find him— come to his dwelling place;
3
Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling!
4 I would lay out my case before him, fill my mouth with arguments,
4
I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments
5 know the words with which he would answer, understand what he would say to me.
5
I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he contend with me through brute force? No, he would surely listen to me.
6
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me.
7 There those who do the right thing can argue with him; I could escape from my judge forever.
7
There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.
8 Look, I go east; he's not there, west, and don't discover him;
8
"If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him;
9 north in his activity, and I don't grasp him; he turns south, and I don't see.
9
on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.
10 Surely he knows my way; when he tests me, I will emerge as gold.
10
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold.
11 My feet have stayed right in his tracks. I have kept his way and not left it,
11
My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12 kept the commandments from his lips and not departed, valued the words from his mouth more than my food.
12
I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth.
13 He is of one mind; who can reverse it? What he desires, he does.
13
But he stands alone and who can dissuade him? What he desires, that he does.
14 He carries out what is decreed for me and can do many similar things with me.
14
For he will complete what he appoints for me; and many such things are in his mind
15 Therefore, I am scared by his presence; I think and become afraid of him.
15
Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him.
16 God has weakened my mind; the Almighty has frightened me.
16
God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me;
17 Still I'm not annihilated by darkness; he has hidden deep darkness from me.
17
If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face!
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.