Job 23 — NETB

23Verse 1Then Job answered:^{Verse 2}“Even today my complaint is still bitter;
his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
^{Verse 3}O that I knew where I might find him,
that I could come to his place of residence!
^{Verse 4}I would lay out my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
^{Verse 5}I would know with what words he would answer me,
and understand what he would say to me.
^{Verse 6}Would he contend with me with great power?
No, he would only pay attention to me.
^{Verse 7}There an upright person
could present his case before him,
and I would be delivered forever from my judge.

The Inaccessibility and Power of God

^{Verse 8}“If I go to the east, he is not there,
and to the west, yet I do not perceive him.
^{Verse 9}In the north when he is at work,
I do not see him;
when he turns to the south,
I see no trace of him.
^{Verse 10}But he knows the pathway that I take;
if he tested me, I would come forth like gold.
^{Verse 11}My feet have followed his steps closely;
I have kept to his way and have not turned aside.
^{Verse 12}I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion.
^{Verse 13}But he is unchangeable, and who can change him?
Whatever he has desired, he does.
^{Verse 14}For he fulfills his decree against me,
and many such things are his plans.
^{Verse 15}That is why I am terrified in his presence;
when I consider, I am afraid because of him.
^{Verse 16}Indeed, God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me.
^{Verse 17}Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness,
because of the thick darkness
that covered my face.