| English Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1Then Job answered and said: | 1Then Job answered: |
| 2“Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. | 2"Even today my complaint is still bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. |
| 3Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! | 3O that I knew where I might find him, that I could come to his place of residence! |
| 4I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. | 4I would lay out my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. |
| 5I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me. | 5I would know with what words he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. |
| 6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me. | 6Would he contend with me with great power? No, he would only pay attention to me. |
| 7There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge. | 7There an upright person could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge. |
| 8“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; | 8"If I go to the east, he is not there, and to the west, yet I do not perceive him. |
| 9on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him. | 9In the north when he is at work, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I see no trace of him. |
| 10But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. | 10But he knows the pathway that I take; if he tested me, I would come forth like gold. |
| 11My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. | 11My feet have followed his steps closely; I have kept to his way and have not turned aside. |
| 12I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. | 12I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion. |
| 13But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. | 13But he is unchangeable, and who can change him? Whatever he has desired, he does. |
| 14For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind. | 14For he fulfills his decree against me, and many such things are his plans. |
| 15Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him. | 15That is why I am terrified in his presence; when I consider, I am afraid because of him. |
| 16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; | 16Indeed, God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. |
| 17yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face. | 17Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness, because of the thick darkness that covered my face. |
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