New Living Translation | Berean Study Bible |
1Then Job spoke again: | 1Then Job answered: |
2“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. | 2“Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning. |
3If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. | 3If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat. |
4I would lay out my case and present my arguments. | 4I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. |
5Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. | 5I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say. |
6Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing. | 6Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me. |
7Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge. | 7Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge. |
8I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. | 8If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, 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. | 9When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him. |
10“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. | 10Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. |
11For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. | 11My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside. |
12I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food. | 12I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. |
13But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does. | 13But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. |
14So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny. | 14For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans. |
15No wonder I am so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me. | 15Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him. |
16God has made me sick at heart; the Almighty has terrified me. | 16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. |
17Darkness is all around me; thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere. | 17Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face. |
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