New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures — With References (Rbi8, en_US, 1984)

Job

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Job, 23

1 And Job proceeded to answer and say:

2 “Even today my state of concern is rebelliousness; My own hand is heavy on account of my sighing.

3 O that I really knew where I might find him! I would come clear to his fixed place.

4 I would present before*1 him a case of justice, And my mouth I would fill with counterarguments;

  1. Or, “against.” Compare Ge 10:9 ftn, “Opposition to.”

5 I would know the words with which he answers me, And I would consider what he says to me.

6 Would he with an abundance of power contend with me? O no! Surely he himself would pay heed to me.

7 There the upright one himself will certainly set matters straight with him, And I would go safe forever from my judge.*1

  1. Or, “from my opponent-at-law,” by a correction.

8 Look! To the east I go, and he is not there; And back again, and I cannot discern him;

9 To the left where he is working, but I cannot behold [him&#93

He turns aside*1 to the right, but I do not see [him].

  1. “I turn aside,” SyVg.

10 For he well knows the way I take. [After] he has tested me out, I shall come forth as gold itself.

11 Of his steps*1 my foot has laid hold; His way I have kept, and I do not deviate.

  1. “Steps,” LXXSyVg; M, “step.”

12 [From] the commandment of his lips I do not move away. I have treasured up the sayings of his mouth more than what is prescribed for me.

13 And he is in one [mind], and who can resist him? And his own soul has a desire, and he will do [it].

14 For he will carry out completely what is prescribed for me, And things like these are many with him.

15 That is why I feel disturbed because of him; I show myself attentive and am in dread of him.

16 Even God*1 himself has made my heart timid, And the Almighty himself has disturbed me.

  1. “Even God.” Heb., weʼElʹ.

17 For I have not been put to silence because of darkness, Nor because gloom has covered my own face.