Job's Reply to Eliphaz
Today I Complain Bitterly
1 Job said:
2 Today I complain bitterly,
because God has been cruel
and made me suffer.
3 If I knew where to find God,
I would go there
4 and argue my case.
5 Then I would discover
what he wanted to say.
6 Would he overwhelm me
with his greatness?
No! He would listen
7 because I am innocent,
and he would say,
“I now set you free!”
8 I cannot find God anywhere—
in front or back of me,
9 to my left or my right.
God is always at work,
though I never see him.
10 But he knows what I am doing,
and when he tests me,
I will be pure as gold.
* 11 I have never refused to follow
any of his commands,
12 and I have always treasured
his teachings.
13 But he alone is God,
and who can oppose him?
God does as he pleases,
14 and he will do exactly
what he intends with me.
* 15 Merely the thought
of God All-Powerful
16 makes me tremble with fear.
17 God has covered me
with darkness,
but I refuse to be silent.
1 Bvt Iob answered and sayd, 2 Though my talke be this day in bitternes, and my plague greater then my groning, 3 Would God yet I knew how to finde him, I would enter vnto his place. 4 I would pleade the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would knowe the wordes, that he would answere me, and would vnderstand what he would say vnto me. 6 Would he plead against me with his great power? No, but he would put strength in me. 7 There the righteous might reason with him, so I shoulde be deliuered for euer from my Iudge. 8 Behold, if I go to the East, he is not there: if to the West, yet I can not perceiue him: 9 If to the North where he worketh, yet I cannot see him: he wil hide himselfe in the South, and I cannot beholde him. 10 But he knoweth my way, and trieth mee, and I shall come forth like the gold. 11 My foote hath followed his steps: his way haue I kept, and haue not declined. 12 Neyther haue I departed from the commandement of his lippes, and I haue esteemed the words of his mouth more then mine appointed foode. 13 Yet he is in one minde, and who can turne him? yea, he doeth what his minde desireth. 14 For he will performe that, which is decreed of me, and many such things are with him. 15 Therefore I am troubled at his presence, and in considering it, I am afraid of him. 16 For God hath softened mine heart, and the Almightie hath troubled me. 17 For I am not cut off in darknesse, but he hath hid the darkenesse from my face.