Job 23 Parallel Bible Translations

Job 23 ▼
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NLT
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English Standard Version
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1 Then Job spoke again: Then Job answered and said: Then Job replied:
2 “My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. “Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. “Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
3 If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!
4 I would lay out my case and present my arguments. I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me. I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me.
6 Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me. Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me.
7 Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge. There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge. There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.
8 I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; “But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9 I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. 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. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
10 “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
12 I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
13 But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does. But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases.
14 So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny. For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind. He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store.
15 No wonder I am so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me. Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.
16 God has made me sick at heart; the Almighty has terrified me. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.
17 Darkness is all around me; thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere. yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face. Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.
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