Job 23:1-17 - Job's Eighth Speech: A Response To Eliphaz

¹ Job's response was to say: ² "I'm still complaining bitterly today; my hand is heavy because of groaning. ³ If only I knew where to find him, I would visit him where he has taken his seat. ⁴ I would lay out my case before him; and fill my mouth with arguments. ⁵ I know how he would answer me; I understand what he'll tell me. ⁶ "Would he use his great power to fight me? No, he'll pay attention to me. ⁷ In that place, the upright can reason with him; and I'll be acquitted once and for all by my judge."

⁸ "Look! If I go east, he isn't there! If I go to the west, I don't perceive him. ⁹ If he's working in the north, I can't observe him; If he turns south, I can't see him. ¹⁰ Because he knows the road on which I travel, when he had tested me, I'll come out like gold. ¹¹ My feet stay where his footsteps lead; I kept on his pathway and haven't turned aside. ¹² I haven't wandered away from the commands that he has spoken; I've treasured what he has said more than my own meals."

¹³ "But he is One who can change him? He does whatever he wants to do. ¹⁴ He'll complete what he has planned for me; he has many things in mind for me! ¹⁵ That's why I'm terrified at his presence! When I think about it, I'm afraid of him. ¹⁶ God has caused me to faint; the Almighty makes me terrified! ¹⁷ Nevertheless, I haven't been silenced because of the darkness, even when thick darkness obscures my vision."