Job 23 NIV HCSB Parallel

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◄ Job 23 ►

New International Version

Holman Christian Standard Bible

1Then Job replied:

1Then Job answered:

2"Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

2Today also my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

3If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!

3If only I knew how to find Him, so that I could go to His throne.

4I would state 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 find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me.

5I would learn how He would answer me; and understand what He would say to me.

6Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me.

6Would He prosecute me forcefully? No, He will certainly pay attention to me.

7There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.

7Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would escape from my Judge forever.

8"But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.

8If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive 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.

9When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him.

10But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

10Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.

11My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

11My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept to His way and not turned aside.

12I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

12I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food.

13"But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases.

13But He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.

14He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store.

14He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me, and He has many more things like these in mind.

15That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.

15Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I am afraid of Him.

16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

17Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.

17Yet I am not destroyed by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.