| English Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1Then Job answered and said: | 1Then Job replied: |
| 2“Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. | 2"Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. |
| 3Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! | 3If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! |
| 4I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. | 4I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. |
| 5I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me. | 5I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me. |
| 6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me. | 6Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me. |
| 7There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge. | 7There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered forever from my judge. |
| 8“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; | 8"But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. |
| 9on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see 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. |
| 10But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. | 10But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. |
| 11My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. | 11My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. |
| 12I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. | 12I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. |
| 13But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. | 13"But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. |
| 14For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind. | 14He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. |
| 15Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him. | 15That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him. |
| 16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; | 16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. |
| 17yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face. | 17Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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