New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Then Job answered:
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And Job made answer and said,
2 "Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
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Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.
3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling!
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If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!
4 I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments
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I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments
5 I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
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I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me.
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Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.
7 There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.
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There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.
8 "If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him;
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See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;
9 on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.
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I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him.
10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold.
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For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
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My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.
12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth.
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I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.
13 But he stands alone and who can dissuade him? What he desires, that he does.
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But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.
14 For he will complete what he appoints for me; and many such things are in his mind
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For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him.
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For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.
16 God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me;
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For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.
17 If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face!
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For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.
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.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.