Job 23:2–7
2 “Today also my rcomplaint is bitter;1
my shand is heavy on account of my groaning.
3 Oh, tthat I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his useat!
4 I would vlay my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know what he would answer me
and understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he wcontend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; he would pay attention to me.
7 There an upright man could argue with him,
and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
Job 23:2–7 — The New International Version (NIV)
2 “Even today my complaint is bitter;
his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
3 If only I knew where to find him;
if only I could go to his dwelling!
4 I would state my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would find out what he would answer me,
and consider what he would say to me.
6 Would he vigorously oppose me?
No, he would not press charges against me.
7 There the upright can establish their innocence before him,
and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.
Job 23:2–7 — King James Version (KJV 1900)
2 Even to day is my complaint bitter:
My stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him!
That I might come even to his seat!
4 I would order my cause before him,
And fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me,
And understand what he would say unto me.
6 Will he plead against me with his great power?
No; but he would put strength in me.
7 There the righteous might dispute with him;
So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
Job 23:2–7 — New Living Translation (NLT)
2 “My complaint today is still a bitter one,
and I try hard not to groan aloud.
3 If only I knew where to find God,
I would go to his court.
4 I would lay out my case
and present my arguments.
5 Then I would listen to his reply
and understand what he says to me.
6 Would he use his great power to argue with me?
No, he would give me a fair hearing.
7 Honest people can reason with him,
so I would be forever acquitted by my judge.
Job 23:2–7 — The New King James Version (NKJV)
2 “Even today my complaint is bitter;
My hand is listless because of my groaning.
3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him,
That I might come to His seat!
4 I would present my case before Him,
And fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which He would answer me,
And understand what He would say to me.
6 Would He contend with me in His great power?
No! But He would take note of me.
7 There the upright could reason with Him,
And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.
Job 23:2–7 — New Century Version (NCV)
2 “My complaint is still bitter today.
I groan because God’s heavy hand is on me.
3 I wish I knew where to find God
so I could go to where he lives.
4 I would present my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would learn how he would answer me
and would think about what he would say.
6 Would he not argue strongly against me?
No, he would really listen to me.
7 Then an honest person could present his case to God,
and I would be saved forever by my judge.
Job 23:2–7 — American Standard Version (ASV)
2 Even to-day is my complaint rebellious:
My stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him!
That I might come even to his seat!
4 I would set my cause in order before him,
And fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me,
And understand what he would say unto me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
Nay; but he would give heed unto me.
7 There the upright might reason with him;
So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
Job 23:2–7 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)
2 Even to-day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come to his seat! 4 I would order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments; 5 I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. 6 Would he plead against me with his great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me. 7 There would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered for ever from my judge.
Job 23:2–7 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
2 “My complaint is bitter again today.
I try hard to control my sighing.
3 “If only I knew where I could find God!
I would go where he lives.
4 I would present ⸤my⸥ case to him.
I would have a mouthful of arguments.
5 I want to know the words he would use to answer me.
I want to understand the things he would say to me.
6 Would he sue me and hide behind great legal maneuvers?
No, he certainly would press charges against me.
7 Then decent people could argue with him,
and I would escape my judgment forever.
Job 23:2–7 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 Today also my complaint is bitter.
His hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 If only I knew how to find Him,
so that I could go to His throne.
4 I would plead my case before Him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would learn how He would answer me;
and understand what He would say to me.
6 Would He prosecute me forcefully?
No, He will certainly pay attention to me.
7 Then an upright man could reason with Him,
and I would escape from my Judge forever.
Job 23:2–7 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
2 “Today also my complaint is bitter;
his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his dwelling!
4 I would lay my case before him,
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would learn what he would answer me,
and understand 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.
7 There an upright person could reason with him,
and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.
Job 23:2–7 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)
2 “Even today my complaint is bitter;
my hand is heavy in addition to my groaning.
3 O that I knew and that I might find him;
O that I might come to his dwelling.
4 I would lay my case before him,
and I would fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I want to know the words with which he would answer me,
and I want to understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his strength?
No, but he himself would give heed to me.
7 There an upright person could reason with him,
and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
Job 23:2–7 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)
2 “Even today my problems are more than I can handle.
In spite of my groans, God’s hand is heavy on me.
3 I wish I knew where I could find him!
I wish I could go to the place where he lives!
4 I would state my case to him.
I’d give him all of my arguments.
5 I’d find out what his answers would be.
I’d think about what he would say.
6 Would he oppose me with his great power?
No. He wouldn’t bring charges against me.
7 I’m an honest person. I could state my case to him.
Then my Judge would tell me once and for all that I’m not guilty.
Job 23:2–7 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)
2 “Even today my complaint is rebellion;
His hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 “Oh that I knew where I might find Him,
That I might come to His seat!
4 “I would present my case before Him
And fill my mouth with arguments.
5 “I would learn the words which He would answer,
And perceive what He would say to me.
6 “Would He contend with me by the greatness of His power?
No, surely He would pay attention to me.
7 “There the upright would reason with Him;
And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.