Job 23
Leeser Old Testament
1Then answered Job, and said,
2Even now is my complaint bitter: my suffering is heavier than my groans.
3Oh who would grant that I knew where I might find him! that I might attain to his Judgment throne!
4I would put in order before him my cause, and my mouth would I fill with arguments.
5I should know the words which he might answer me, and understand what he might say unto me.
6Would he with his power contend against me? he would truly not lay such doings to my charge.
7There would an upright one argue with him; and I should be allowed to escape for ever by my judge.
8But, lo, I go eastwardand he is not there; and to the west and I cannot perceive him;
9When he doth great things at the north, I behold him not; he hideth himself in the southand I see him not.
10But he knoweth the way that I take: were he to probe me, I should come forth as gold.
11On his steps my foot hath held fast: his way have I kept, and swerved not.
12From the commandment of his lips have I also not moved away: as a fixed statute for me have I treasured up the sayings of his mouth.
13But he is unchangeably one, and who can turn him? And what his will desireth, even that he doth.
14For he will bring to completion what hath been destined for me: and like these hath he many other things with him.
15Therefore am I terrified at his presence: I will reflect, and be in dread of him.
16Still God hath made timid my heart, and the Almighty hath terrified me;
17Because I was not destroyed before this darkness, and because he hath not hidden from my face this gloom.
Reina-Valera 1909
1Y RESPONDIÓ Job, y dijo:
2Hoy también hablaré con amargura; que es más grave mi llaga que mi gemido.
3¡Quién me diera el saber dónde hallar á Dios! yo iría hasta su silla.
4Ordenaría juicio delante de él, y henchiría mi boca de argumentos.
5Yo sabría lo que él me respondería, y entendería lo que me dijese.
6¿Pleitearía conmigo con grandeza de fuerza? No: antes él la pondría en mí.
7Allí el justo razonaría con él: y escaparía para siempre de mi juez.
8He aquí yo iré al oriente, y no lo hallaré; y al occidente, y no lo percibiré:
9Si al norte él obrare, yo no lo veré; al mediodía se esconderá, y no lo veré.
10Mas él conoció mi camino: probaráme, y saldré como oro.
11Mis pies tomaron su rastro; guardé su camino, y no me aparté.
12Del mandamiento de sus labios nunca me separé; guardé las palabras de su boca más que mi comida.
13Empero si él se determina en una cosa, ¿quién lo apartará? Su alma deseó, é hizo.
14El pues acabará lo que ha determinado de mí: y muchas cosas como estas hay en él.
15Por lo cual yo me espanto en su presencia: consideraré, y temerélo.
16Dios ha enervado mi corazón, y hame turbado el Omnipotente.
17¿Por qué no fuí yo cortado delante de las tinieblas, y cubrió con oscuridad mi rostro?
King James Version
1Then 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 even to his seat!
4I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
7There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
15Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
World English Bible
1Then Job answered,
2“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
3Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
4I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.
6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
7There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.
8“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.
9He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.
10But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.
11My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.
12I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.
14For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.
15Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.
17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.