Job 23 NLT NIV Parallel

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◄ Job 23 ►

New Living Translation

New International Version

1Then Job spoke again:

1Then Job replied:

2“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud.

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

3If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court.

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

4I would lay out my case and present my arguments.

4I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

5Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me.

5I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me.

6Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing.

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

7Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge.

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

8I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him.

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

9I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed.

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.

10“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.

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

11For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside.

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

12I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.

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

13But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does.

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

14So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny.

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

15No wonder I am so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me.

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

16God has made me sick at heart; the Almighty has terrified me.

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

17Darkness is all around me; thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere.

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