23RD CHAPTER

Job Speaks:

Where Can I Find God?

1 Then Job replied ⸤to his friends⸥, 

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. 

8  However, if I go east, he isn’t there. 

If I go west, I can’t find him. 

9  If I go northward, where he is at work, I can’t observe him. 

If I turn southward, I can’t see him. 

10  ⸤I can’t find him⸥ because he knows the road I take. 

When he tests me, 

I’ll come out as pure as gold. 

11  I have followed his footsteps closely. 

I have stayed on his path and did not turn from it. 

12  I have not left his commands behind. 

I have treasured his words in my heart. 

God Is Against Me

13  “But God is one of a kind. 

Who can make him change his mind? 

He does whatever he wants! 

14  He will carry out ⸤his⸥ orders concerning me 

as he does with so many other things. 

15  That is why I’m terrified of him. 

When I think of it, I’m afraid of him. 

16  God has discouraged me. 

The Almighty has filled me with terror. 

17  But I am not silenced by the dark 

or by the thick darkness that covers my face.