Job 23

Job’s Reply to Eliphaz

1 Then Job answered:

2 Today also my complaint is bitter. 23:2 Syr, Tg, Vg; MT reads rebellion, 23:2 Jb 7:11; 10:1; 21:4

His 23:2 LXX, Syr; MT reads My hand is heavy despite my groaning.

3 If only I knew how to find him,

so that I could go to his throne.

4 I would plead my case before him 23:4 Jb 5:8; 13:18; 35:14

and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would learn how 23:5 Lit the words he would answer me;

and understand what he would say to me.

6 Would he prosecute 23:6 Jb 13:19; 33:13; Is 45:9 me forcefully?

No, he would certainly pay attention to me.

7 Then an upright man could reason 23:7 Jb 13:3,15; 15:3 with him,

and I would escape from my Judge 23:7 Or judgment, 23:7 Gn 18:25; Is 33:22; Jr 11:20 forever.

8 If I go east, he is not there,

and if I go west, I cannot perceive him. 23:8 Jb 9:11; 35:14

9 When he is at work to the north, I cannot see him;

when he turns south, I cannot find him.

10 Yet he knows the way I have taken; 23:10 Lit way with me

when he has tested me, 23:10 Ps 17:3; 66:10; 1Pt 1:7 I will emerge as pure gold.

11 My feet have followed in his tracks;

I have kept to his way 23:11 Jb 17:9; Ps 17:5; 44:18 and not turned aside.

12 I have not departed from the commands from his lips;

I have treasured 23:12 LXX, Vg read treasured in my bosom the words 23:12 Jb 6:10; 22:22; Ps 119:102–103,111 from his mouth

more than my daily food.

13 But he is unchangeable; who can oppose him?

He does what he desires. 23:13 Ps 115:3; Is 14:27; Dn 4:35

14 He will certainly accomplish what he has decreed for me,

and he has many more things like these in mind. 23:14 Lit these with him

15 Therefore I am terrified 23:15 Jb 4:14; 22:10; 23:15 in his presence;

when I consider this, I am afraid of him.

16 God has made my heart faint; 23:16 Dt 20:3; Is 7:4; Jr 51:46

the Almighty has terrified me.

17 Yet I am not destroyed 23:17 Or silenced by the darkness, 23:17 Jb 19:8; 29:3; 30:26

by the thick darkness that covers my face.