Job 23 DBY
Summary: Job largely ignores Eliphaz's accusations and instead expresses his intense longing to find God and present his case directly before him, confident that if he could reach God's dwelling he would be heard fairly and vindicated, since an upright man could reason with God there. But Job laments that God is elusive, hidden whichever direction he searches, forward, backward, left, or right, though he affirms that God nonetheless "knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (v. 10). Job closes acknowledging his fear and dismay at God's power and at the terrifying unpredictability of his own circumstances, feeling that darkness covers his face.
1And Job answered and said,
2Even to-day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come to his seat!
4I would order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;
5I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6Would he plead against me with [his] great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.
7There would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered for ever from my judge.
8Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive him;
9On the left hand, where he doth work, but I behold [him] not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see [him] not.
10But he knoweth the way that I take; he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.
11My foot hath held to his steps; his way have I kept, and not turned aside.
12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have laid up the words of his mouth more than the purpose of my own heart.
13But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, that will he do.
14For he will perform [what] is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.
15Therefore am I troubled at his presence; I consider, and I am afraid of him.
16ForGod hath made my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me;
17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.
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