Jó 23

Job Proclaims God’s Righteous Judgments

1 Then Job answered and said:

2 "Even today my *Job 7:11complaint is bitter;

My hand is listless because of my groaning.

3 *Job 13:3, 18; 16:21; 31:35Oh, that I knew where I might find Him,

That I might come to His seat!

4 I would present my case before Him,

And fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would know the words which He would answer me,

And understand what He would say to me.

6 *Is. 57:16Would He contend with me in His great power?

No! But He would take note of me.

7 There the upright could reason with Him,

And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

8 "Look,*Job 9:11; 35:14 I go forward, but He is not there,

And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

9 When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him;

When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.

10 But *(Ps. 1:6; 139:1–3)He knows the way that I take;

When*(Ps. 17:3; 66:10; James 1:12)He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 *Job 31:7; Ps. 17:5My foot has held fast to His steps;

I have kept His way and not turned aside.

12 I have not departed from the *Job 6:10; 22:22commandment of His lips;

*Ps. 44:18I have treasured the words of His mouth

More than my necessary food.

13 "But He is unique, and who can make Him change?

And whatever*(Ps. 115:3)His soul desires, that He does.

14 For He performs whatis*(1 Thess. 3:2–4)appointed for me,

And many such thingsare with Him.

15 Therefore I am terrified at His presence;

When I consider this, I am afraid of Him.

16 For God *Ps. 22:14made my heart weak,

And the Almighty terrifies me;

17 Because I was not *Job 10:18, 19cut off from the presence of darkness,

And He did not hide deep darkness from my face.