The Book of Job

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- Chapter 23 -

Job proclaims the righteous judgments of God

Then Job answered by saying:

Now again my conversation is in bitterness, and the force of my scourging weighs more heavily on me because of my mourning.(a)

Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and that I may approach even to his throne?

I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,

so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.

I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk of his greatness.

Let him show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.

If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will not understand him.

If I turn to the left, what can I do? I will not take hold of him. If I turn myself to the right, I will not see him.

Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.

My feet have been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed from it.

I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.

For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.

And when he fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.

And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.

God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.

Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.

Footnotes

(a)23:2 This last phrase is a figure of speech in Latin. Literally, ‘the hand of my scourging has been made heavier over my mourning.” In other words, Job’s suffering from physical pains is increased because it is on top of his spiritual sorrows. Christ’s suffering on the Cross was likewise increased greatly by the suffering of His soul.(Conte)

Job proclaims the righteous judgments of God

Then Job answered,

“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.