| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1Then Job answered: | 1Then Job replied: |
| 2"Even today my complaint is still bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. | 2"Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. |
| 3O that I knew where I might find him, that I could come to his place of residence! | 3If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! |
| 4I would lay out my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. | 4I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. |
| 5I would know with what words he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. | 5I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me. |
| 6Would he contend with me with great power? No, he would only pay attention to me. | 6Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me. |
| 7There an upright person could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge. | 7There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered forever from my judge. |
| 8"If I go to the east, he is not there, and to the west, yet I do not perceive him. | 8"But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. |
| 9In the north when he is at work, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I see no trace of him. | 9When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. |
| 10But he knows the pathway that I take; if he tested me, I would come forth like gold. | 10But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. |
| 11My feet have followed his steps closely; I have kept to his way and have not turned aside. | 11My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to 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 allotted portion. | 12I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. |
| 13But he is unchangeable, and who can change him? Whatever he has desired, he does. | 13"But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. |
| 14For he fulfills his decree against me, and many such things are his plans. | 14He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. |
| 15That is why I am terrified in his presence; when I consider, I am afraid because of him. | 15That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him. |
| 16Indeed, God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. | 16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. |
| 17Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness, because of the thick darkness that covered my face. | 17Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face. |
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