The CleanSlate Bible
Job Chapter 23
1Then Job answered,
2"Even today my complaint is bitter.
His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
3Oh that I knew where I might find him!
That I might come to his seat!
4I would arrange my case in his presence,
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5I would know the words which he would answer me,
and understand what he would tell me.
6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No, but he would listen to me.
7There the upright might reason with him,
so I would be delivered forever from my judge.
8"If I go east, he is not there.
If I go west, I can't find him.
9He works to the north, but I can't see him.
He turns south, but I can't catch a glimpse of him.
10But he knows the way that I take.
When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.
11My foot has held to his track.
I have kept [to] his way, and not swerved.
12I haven't departed from the commandment of his lips.
I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my appointed share.
13But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?
What his soul desires, that's what he does.
14For he performs what is appointed for me.
Many such things are with him.
15Therefore I am terrified at his presence.
When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16For God has made my heart faint.
The Almighty has terrified me.
17Because I was not cut off before the darkness,
nor did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
The Bible text is an adaptation of the WEB
to include nuanced meanings of particular ancient words for placenames, God and others of special interest.
In general square brackets:[] are used to indicate words not found in the original text.
They also indicate the 5 books of the Psalms, and the letters in Psalm 119;
and a few passages considered by some to be of questionable authenticity, marked with an asterisk(*).
