| Holman Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Then Job answered: | 1Then Job answered: |
| 2Today also my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning. | 2“Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning. |
| 3If only I knew how to find Him, so that I could go to His throne. | 3If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat. |
| 4I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. | 4I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. |
| 5I would learn how He would answer me; and understand what He would say to me. | 5I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say. |
| 6Would He prosecute me forcefully? No, He will certainly pay attention to me. | 6Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me. |
| 7Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would escape from my Judge forever. | 7Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge. |
| 8If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him. | 8If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him. |
| 9When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him. | 9When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him. |
| 10Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold. | 10Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. |
| 11My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept to His way and not turned aside. | 11My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside. |
| 12I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food. | 12I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. |
| 13But He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. | 13But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. |
| 14He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me, and He has many more things like these in mind. | 14For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans. |
| 15Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I am afraid of Him. | 15Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him. |
| 16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. | 16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. |
| 17Yet I am not destroyed by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face. | 17Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face. |
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