Job 23 NIV ISV Parallel

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◄ Job 23 ►

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1Then Job replied:

1Job's response was to say:

2"Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

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

3If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!

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

4I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

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

5I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me.

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

6Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me.

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

7There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.

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

8"But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.

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

9When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.

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

10But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

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

11My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

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

12I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

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

13"But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases.

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

14He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store.

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

15That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.

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

16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

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

17Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.

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