Job’s Eighth Speech: A Response to Eliphaz

1Then Job spoke again:

2“My complaint today is still a bitter one,

and I try hard not to groan aloud.

3If only I knew where to find God,

I would go to his court.

4I would lay out my case

and present my arguments.

5Then I would listen to his reply

and understand what he says to me.

6Would he use his great power to argue with me?

No, he would give me a fair hearing.

7Honest people can reason with him,

so I would be forever acquitted by my judge.

8I go east, but he is not there.

I go west, but I cannot find him.

9I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden.

I look to the south, but he is concealed.

10“But he knows where I am going.

And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.

11For I have stayed on God’s paths;

I have followed his ways and not turned aside.

12I have not departed from his commands,

but have treasured his words more than daily food.

13But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind?

Whatever he wants to do, he does.

14So he will do to me whatever he has planned.

He controls my destiny.

15No wonder I am so terrified in his presence.

When I think of it, terror grips me.

16God has made me sick at heart;

the Almighty has terrified me.

17Darkness is all around me;

thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere.