Job Responds: He Longs for God
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.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Job Longs for God
1 Then Job answered,
2 “Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
4 I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
7 There 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 west, I can’t find him;
9 He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.
10 But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth like gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned aside.
12 I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13 But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.
14 For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
Job Longs for God
1 Then Job answered:
2 “Even today my complaint is bitter.
His hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 If only I knew where to find Him,
so that I could go to His seat.
4 I would plead my case before Him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would learn how He would answer,
and consider what He would say.
6 Would He contend with me in His great power?
No, He would certainly take note of me.
7 Then an upright man could reason with Him,
and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.
8 If I go east, He is not there,
and if I go west, I cannot find Him.
9 When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him;
when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.
10 Yet He knows the way I have taken;
when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 My feet have followed in His tracks;
I have kept His way without turning aside.
12 I have not departed from the command of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth
more than my daily bread.
13 But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him?
He does what He desires.
14 For He carries out His decree against me,
and He has many such plans.
15 Therefore I am terrified in His presence;
when I consider this, I fear Him.
16 God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me.
17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,
by the thick darkness that covers my face.
Job Responds: He Longs for God
1And Job answereth and saith: --
2Also -- to-day is my complaint bitter, My hand hath been heavy because of my sighing.
3O that I had known -- and I find Him, I come in unto His seat,
4I arrange before Him the cause, And my mouth fill with arguments.
5I know the words He doth answer me, And understand what He saith to me.
6In the abundance of power doth He strive with me? No! surely He putteth it in me.
7There the upright doth reason with Him, And I escape for ever from my judge.
8Lo, forward I go -- and He is not, And backward -- and I perceive him not.
9To the left in His working -- and I see not, He is covered on the right, and I behold not.
10For He hath known the way with me, He hath tried me -- as gold I go forth.
11On His step hath my foot laid hold, His way I have kept, and turn not aside,
12The command of His lips, and I depart not. Above my allotted portion I have laid up The sayings of His mouth.
13And He is in one mind, And who doth turn Him back? And His soul hath desired -- and He doth it.
14For He doth complete my portion, And many such things are with Him.
15Therefore, from His presence I am troubled, I consider, and am afraid of Him.
16And God hath made my heart soft, And the Mighty hath troubled me.
17For I have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.
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