Job 23

Job Longs for God

1 Then Job answered:

2 “Even today my complaint is bitter. ‡ Job 10:1Job 7:11Psa 32:4Job 11:6Job 6:2-3Lam 3:19-20Psa 77:2-9

His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

3 If only I knew where to find Him, ‡ Job 16:21Heb 4:6Jer 14:7Job 13:3Job 31:35-372Co 5:19-20Isa 26:8Isa 55:6-7 +1

so that I could go to His seat.

4 I would plead my case before Him ‡ Job 13:18Dan 9:18-19Exo 32:12-13Gen 18:25-32Gen 32:12Isa 43:26Job 37:19Jos 7:8-9 +3

and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would learn how He would answer, ‡ 1Co 4:3-4Job 10:2Job 13:22-23Job 42:2-6

and consider what He would say.

6 Would He contend with me in His great power? ‡ 2Co 12:9-10Job 13:21Job 9:33-34Ezk 20:33Ezk 20:35Isa 27:4Isa 27:8Job 9:19 +2

No, He would certainly take note of me.

7 Then an upright man could reason with Him, ‡ Job 13:3Isa 1:18Rom 8:1Jer 12:1Jer 3:5Job 9:15Rom 3:19-22Rom 8:33-34

and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

8 If I go east, He is not there, ‡ Job 9:11Psa 10:11Ti 6:16Job 35:14Isa 45:15Psa 13:1-3

and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

9 When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; ‡ Isa 8:17Psa 89:46

when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

10 Yet He knows the way I have taken; ‡ Jas 1:121Pe 1:7Jas 1:2-4Psa 139:1-3Pro 17:3Psa 66:10Zec 13:9Psa 17:3 +11

when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

11 My feet have followed in His tracks; ‡ Psa 44:182Pe 2:20-22Psa 17:5Job 17:9Psa 125:5Rom 2:72Co 1:12Act 20:18-19 +7

I have kept His way without turning aside.

12 I have not departed from the command of His lips; ‡ Jer 15:16Psa 119:11Psa 119:103Jhn 4:34Psa 19:9-10Job 22:22Jhn 4:32Jhn 8:31 +9

I have treasured the words of His mouth

more than my daily bread.

13 But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? ‡ Psa 115:3Pro 19:21Dan 4:35Isa 46:10Ecc 3:14Job 12:14Num 23:19-20Psa 135:6 +8

He does what He desires.

14 For He carries out His decree against me, ‡ 1Th 3:31Th 5:9Isa 40:27-28Psa 97:2Rom 11:331Pe 2:8Job 7:3Mic 6:9 +1

and He has many such plans.

15 Therefore I am terrified in His presence; ‡ Psa 119:120Job 31:23Psa 77:3Hab 3:16Job 10:15Job 23:3

when I consider this, I fear Him.

16 God has made my heart faint; ‡ Psa 22:14Job 27:2Deu 20:3Isa 6:5Psa 88:16Isa 57:16Jol 1:15Rut 1:20 +1

the Almighty has terrified me.

17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, ‡ Job 19:8Isa 57:12Ki 22:20Job 15:22Job 18:18Job 18:6Job 22:11Job 6:9

by the thick darkness that covers my face.