Giobbe 23:3-13

3 Oh sapessi dove trovarlo! potessi arrivare fino al suo trono!

4 Esporrei la mia causa dinanzi a lui, riempirei d’argomenti la mia bocca

5 Saprei quel che mi risponderebbe, e capirei quello che avrebbe da dirmi.

6 Contenderebbe egli meco con la sua gran potenza? No! invece, mi presterebbe attenzione.

7 Là sarebbe un uomo retto a discutere con lui, e sarei dal mio giudice assolto per sempre.

8 Ma, ecco, se vo ad oriente, egli non c’è; se ad occidente, non lo trovo;

9 se a settentrione, quando vi opera, io non lo veggo; si nasconde egli nel mezzodì, io non lo scorgo.

10 Ma la via ch’io batto ei la sa; se mi mettesse alla prova, ne uscirei come l’oro.

11 Il mio piede ha seguito fedelmente le sue orme, mi son tenuto sulla sua via senza deviare;

12 non mi sono scostato dai comandamenti delle sue labbra, ho riposto nel mio seno le parole della sua bocca.

13 Ma la sua decisione e una; chi lo farà mutare? Quello ch’ei desidera, lo fa;

Giobbe 23:3-13 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.