Job 23 Comparison: Bible in Basic English vs New Heart English Bible

Job 23

¹And Job made answer and said,

²Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

³If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!

⁴I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

⁵I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.

⁶Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.

⁷There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.

⁸See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;

⁹I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him.

¹⁰For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

¹¹My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

¹²I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.

¹³But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.

¹⁴For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs.

¹⁵For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

¹⁶For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

¹⁷For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.

Job 23

¹Then Job answered,

²"Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

³Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

⁴I would set my cause in order before him, 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 should be delivered forever from my judge.

⁸"If I go east, he is not there; if 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 shall come forth like gold.

¹¹My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned aside.

¹²I haven't gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

¹³But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

¹⁴For he performs that which 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, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.