Job 23
American Standard Version
23 Then Job answered and said,
2 Even to-day is my complaint [a]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; [b]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.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there;
And backward, but I cannot perceive him;
9 On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him;
He [c]hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
10 [d]But he knoweth [e]the way that I take;
When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held fast to his steps;
His way have I kept, and turned not aside.
12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips;
I have treasured up the words of his mouth [f]more than my [g]necessary food.
13 But [h]he is in one mind, and who can turn him?
And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me:
And many such things are with him.
15 Therefore am I terrified at his presence;
When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 For God hath made my heart faint,
And the Almighty hath terrified me;
17 [i]Because I was not cut off before the darkness,
Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
Footnotes
- Job 23:2 Or, bitter. Or, accounted rebellion
- Job 23:6 Or, he would only give heed
- Job 23:9 Or, turneth himself to . . . him, but
- Job 23:10 Or, For
- Job 23:10 Hebrew the way that is with me.
- Job 23:12 Or, more than my own law
- Job 23:12 Or, portion. See Prov. 30:8.
- Job 23:13 Or, he is one
- Job 23:17 Or, For I am not dismayed because of the darkness, Nor because thick darkness covereth my face
Job 23
English Standard Version
Job Replies: Where Is God?
23 Then Job answered and said:
2 “Today also my (A)complaint is bitter;[a]
my (B)hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
3 Oh, (C)that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his (D)seat!
4 I would (E)lay 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 (F)contend 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.
8 “Behold, (G)I go forward, but he is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive him;
9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
10 But he (H)knows (I)the way that I (J)take;
when he has (K)tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11 My foot (L)has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have (M)not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have (N)treasured the words of his mouth more than my (O)portion of food.
13 But he is unchangeable,[b] and (P)who can turn him back?
What he (Q)desires, that he does.
14 For he will complete what he (R)appoints for me,
and many such things are (S)in his mind.
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence;
when I consider, I am in dread of him.
16 God has made my (T)heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;
17 yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,
nor because thick darkness covers my face.
Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?)
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
