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23 Then Iyov answered and said,

Even hayom (today) is my complaint bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

Oh that I knew where I might find Him! That I might come even to His techunah (abode)!

I would order my mishpat (cause) before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would know the words which He would answer me, and have binah of what He would say unto me.

Will He contend against me with His great koach? No, but He would pay heed to me.

There the yashar might dispute with Him; so should I be delivered forever from my Shofet (Judge).

Hen (behold), I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him;

On the left hand, where He doth work, but I cannot behold Him; He hideth himself yamin (on the right hand), that I cannot see Him;

10 But He knoweth the derech that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as zahav.

11 My regel hath held to His steps, over His way have I been shomer, and not turned aside.

12 Neither have I gone back from the mitzvah of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my appointed portion.

13 But He stands alone, and who can turn Him? And what His nefesh desireth, even that He doeth.

14 For He accomplisheth the thing that is appointed for me; and rabbot (many) such things are with Him.

15 Al-ken (therefore) am I troubled at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

16 For El maketh my lev dejected, and Shaddai troubleth me,

17 Because I was not cut off from before the choshech, neither hath He hidden deep darkness from my face.

Job

23 Then Job replied:

“Even today my complaint(A) is bitter;(B)
    his hand[a] is heavy in spite of[b] my groaning.(C)
If only I knew where to find him;
    if only I could go to his dwelling!(D)
I would state my case(E) before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.(F)
I would find out what he would answer me,(G)
    and consider what he would say to me.
Would he vigorously oppose me?(H)
    No, he would not press charges against me.(I)
There the upright(J) can establish their innocence before him,(K)
    and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.(L)

“But if I go to the east, he is not there;
    if I go to the west, I do not find him.
When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
    when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.(M)
10 But he knows the way that I take;(N)
    when he has tested me,(O) I will come forth as gold.(P)
11 My feet have closely followed his steps;(Q)
    I have kept to his way without turning aside.(R)
12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips;(S)
    I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.(T)

13 “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?(U)
    He does whatever he pleases.(V)
14 He carries out his decree against me,
    and many such plans he still has in store.(W)
15 That is why I am terrified before him;(X)
    when I think of all this, I fear him.(Y)
16 God has made my heart faint;(Z)
    the Almighty(AA) has terrified me.(AB)
17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,(AC)
    by the thick darkness that covers my face.

Footnotes

  1. Job 23:2 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew / the hand on me
  2. Job 23:2 Or heavy on me in