Job 23

1 Then Job [the patriarch famous for his patience] answered [replied, made a response, and said]: word study 2 “Even today [at this very moment, in this present time] my complaint [outcry, bitter lament] is bitter [rebellious, full of sorrow]. His hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share] is heavy [weighs heavily, a burden] despite [in spite of, notwithstanding] my groaning [sighing, deep sadness]. word study 3 If only I knew [had knowledge of, was aware of] where to find [discover, locate] Him, so that I could go [come, approach] to His seat [throne, place of judgment, where He sits in judgment]. word study 4 I would plead [set in order, arrange] my case [cause, judgment] before Him [in His presence, face to face] and fill [make full, complete] my mouth [lips, words] with arguments [rebukes, corrections, verbal reproofs]. word study 5 I would learn [discover, come to know] how He would answer [respond, give an explanation], and consider [understand, ponder] what He would say [speak, declare, utter words]. word study 6 Would He [as the Almighty] contend [argue or plead] with me in His great [abundant, mighty] power [strength or might]? No [certainly not], He would [surely, without a doubt] certainly take note of me [give heed unto me, listen to me carefully]. word study 7 Then an upright [righteous, just] man could reason [dispute, argue] with Him, and I would be delivered [acquitted, set free] forever [for perpetuity, eternally] from my Judge [the One who governs, vindicates]. word study 8 If I go [to the front, eastward] east, He is not there [cannot be found, I do not see Him], and if I go [to the back, westward] west, I cannot find [perceive, understand] Him. word study 9 When He is at work [to the left] in the north, I cannot behold [see, perceive] Him; when He turns [hides himself, moves] to the south, I cannot see [behold, look upon] Him. word study 10 Yet He [knows intimately] knows the way [path, journey, or manner of life] I have taken; when He [has thoroughly examined, tested] has tested me, I will come forth [emerge, be refined] as gold [pure, refined, like precious metal]. word study 11 My feet [my steps, my path] have followed in His tracks [His steps, the path He has set]; I have kept [obeyed, guarded] His way [His path, His manner of life] without turning aside [declining, deviating from it]. word study 12 I have not [in any way] departed from the command [divine instruction] of His lips [language, spoken words]; I have treasured [hidden, stored up] the words [spoken promises] of His mouth [the source of speech] more than my daily [necessary, allotted] bread [food, sustenance]. word study 13 But He [the Almighty, unchangeable God] is unchangeable [in one mind, having a single purpose], and who [what person, which being] can oppose [turn back, resist] Him? He does [accomplishes, brings to pass] what He desires. word study 14 For [because, since] He carries out [completes, fulfills] His decree [statute, law] against me, and He has [is in possession of, possesses] many [a multitude of, numerous] such plans [designs, intentions]. word study 15 Therefore I am terrified [troubled, dismayed] in His presence [face, before Him]; when I consider [think about, reflect on] this, I fear [dread, am afraid of] Him [with reverence and awe]. word study 16 God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] has made my heart [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect] faint [soft, weak, or troubled]; the Almighty [Shadday, all-powerful and mighty] has terrified [dismayed, alarmed, or troubled] me. word study 17 Yet I am not [completely overcome] silenced by the darkness [thick gloom, spiritual misery], by the thick darkness [utter blackness, God-hiddenness] that covers [hides, conceals] my face [presence, countenance]. word study