LEB - Job - 23

23:1  Then Job answered and said,

23:2  “Even today my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy in addition to my groaning.

23:3  ⌞O that⌟ I knew and that I might find him; O that I might come to his dwelling.

23:4  I would lay my case ⌞before him⌟, and I would fill my mouth with arguments.

23:5  I want to know the words with which he would answer me, and I want to understand what he would say to me.

23:6  Would he contend with me in the greatness of his strength? No, but he himself would give heed to me.

23:7  There an upright person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

23:8  “When I go forward, ⌞he is not there⌟, or backward, I cannot see him.

23:9  ⌞When he works⌟ on the left, ⌞I cannot perceive⌟ him; he turns to the right, but I cannot see him.

23:10  But he knows ⌞the way that I take⌟; he tests me—I shall come out like gold.

23:11  My foot has held on to his steps; I have kept his way, and I have not turned aside.

23:12  From the commandment of his lips, indeed I have not departed; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily food.

23:13  “But he is ⌞alone⌟, and who can dissuade him? And ⌞whatever he desires⌟, ⌞indeed⌟, he does it.

23:14  For he will carry out ⌞what he appoints for me⌟, and many things like these are with him.

23:15  Therefore, I am horrified because of his presence; when I consider, I tremble because of him.

23:16  Indeed, God has made my heart faint, and Shaddai has terrified me.

23:17  Indeed, I have not been silenced ⌞because of darkness⌟, and because of me he conceals thick darkness.