| NET Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Then Job answered: | 1Then Job spoke again: |
| 2"Even today my complaint is still bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. | 2“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. |
| 3O that I knew where I might find him, that I could come to his place of residence! | 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 would know with what words he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. | 5Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. |
| 6Would he contend with me with great power? No, he would only pay attention to me. | 6Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing. |
| 7There an upright person could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge. | 7Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge. |
| 8"If I go to the east, he is not there, and to the west, yet I do not perceive him. | 8I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. |
| 9In the north when he is at work, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I see no trace of him. | 9I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. |
| 10But he knows the pathway that I take; if he tested me, I would come forth 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 have followed his steps closely; I have kept to his way and have not turned aside. | 11For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. |
| 12I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion. | 12I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food. |
| 13But he is unchangeable, and who can change him? Whatever he has desired, he does. | 13But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does. |
| 14For he fulfills his decree against me, and many such things are his plans. | 14So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny. |
| 15That is why I am terrified in his presence; when I consider, I am afraid because of him. | 15No wonder I am so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me. |
| 16Indeed, God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. | 16God has made me sick at heart; the Almighty has terrified me. |
| 17Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness, because of the thick darkness that covered my face. | 17Darkness is all around me; thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere. |
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