Job 23 ISV NLT Parallel

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◄ Job 23 ►

International Standard Version

New Living Translation

1Job's response was to say:

1Then Job spoke again:

2"I'm still complaining bitterly today; my hand is heavy because of groaning.

2“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud.

3If only I knew where to find him, I would visit him where he has taken his seat.

3If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court.

4I would lay out my case before him; and fill my mouth with arguments.

4I would lay out my case and present my arguments.

5I know how he would answer me; I understand what he'll tell me.

5Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me.

6"Would he use his great power to fight me? No, he'll pay attention to me.

6Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing.

7In that place, the upright can reason with him; and I'll be acquitted once and for all by my judge."

7Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge.

8"Look! If I go east, he isn't there! If I go to the west, I don't perceive him.

8I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him.

9If he's working in the north, I can't observe him; If he turns south, I can't see him.

9I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed.

10Because he knows the road on which I travel, when he had tested me, I'll come out like gold.

10“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.

11My feet stay where his footsteps lead; I kept on his pathway and haven't turned aside.

11For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside.

12I haven't wandered away from the commands that he has spoken; I've treasured what he has said more than my own meals."

12I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.

13"But he is One—who can change him? He does whatever he wants to do.

13But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does.

14He'll complete what he has planned for me; he has many things in mind for me!

14So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny.

15That's why I'm terrified at his presence! When I think about it, I'm afraid of him.

15No wonder I am so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me.

16God has caused me to faint; the Almighty makes me terrified!

16God has made me sick at heart; the Almighty has terrified me.

17Nevertheless, I haven't been silenced because of the darkness, even when thick darkness obscures my vision."

17Darkness is all around me; thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere.