1 ARST Then Job replied to Eliphaz and the others. He said, BSB BSB: Then Job answered:
2 ARST “I must still complain about many distressing things. There is much more that I could have protested about. BSB BSB: “Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.
4 ARST I would present much evidence to God that I am innocent. I would offer many arguments to prove that. BSB BSB: I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 ARST That way I would know what God would say in reply to everything I would say to him. BSB BSB: I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.
6 ARST He would not use his great power to defeat me. He would listen to me fairly. BSB BSB: Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.
7 ARST I am an honest man, so if I met with God personally, I would be able to discuss things with him reasonably.{ If we could do that,} he would declare that I am innocent. After that, he would not punish me again as if I had sinned. BSB BSB: Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.
9 ARST He makes natural things happen beautifully in the north, but no one there sees him doing those things. He must also go to the south, but no one sees him there either. BSB BSB: When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.
10 ARST Still, he knows how I have conducted my life. When he has finished testing me, he will see that I am as pure as gold whose impurities fire has burned out. BSB BSB: Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 ARST I have lived faithfully in the manner that God wants people to live. I have not stopped living that way. BSB BSB: My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.
12 ARST I have always obeyed the commandments that he has given. I would rather go without food than disobey what God has told us to do. BSB BSB: I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
13 ARST But God seems to have made up his mind that I am a sinner, and no one can make God change his mind. Whatever he wants to do, he does. BSB BSB: But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.
14 ARST So it seems that God will keep on punishing me until I die. If my present troubles do not kill me, I am sure that God will cause many more troubles for me! BSB BSB: For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.
15 ARST So the thought of coming into his presence greatly frightens me. When I think about what he can do, that makes me very afraid of him. BSB BSB: Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.
16 ARST I am afraid because I am no longer brave after what God has done to me. Shaddai has made me very frightened. BSB BSB: God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.
17 ARST I have lived to experience terrible things, and that is why I am so frightened. I can only imagine that the future will be just as bad as the present. BSB BSB: Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.