Job 23:1-10

Job Replies: Where Is God?

1 Then Job answered and said:

2 "Today also my r complaint is bitter; 1
my s hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
 3 Oh, t that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his u seat!
 4 I would v lay my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
 5 I would know what he would answer me
and understand what he would say to me.
 6 Would he w contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; he would pay attention to me.
 7 There an upright man could argue with him,
and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

8 "Behold, x I go forward, but he is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive him;
 9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
 10 But he y knows z the way that I a take;
when he has b tried me, I shall come out as gold.

  1. Cross References
    Job 10:1
    I loathe my life; I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
    Job 21:4
    As for me, is my complaint against man? Why should I not be impatient?
  2. Cross References
    Psalms 32:4
    For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
  3. Cross References
    Job 13:3
    But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.
    Job 16:21
    That he would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor.
  4. Cross References
    Psalms 9:7 - 8
    But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice.
    Isaiah 57:15 - 16
    For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
  5. Cross References
    Job 33:5
    Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand.
  6. Cross References
    Job 9:34
    Let him take his rod away from me, and let not dread of him terrify me.
    Job 13:21
    Withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me.
  7. Cross References
    Job 9:11
    Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him.
    Job 35:14
    How much less when you say that you do not see him, that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him!
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 139:1 - 3
    O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
  9. Cross References
    Psalms 139:24
    And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
  10. Cross References
    Job 9:35
    Then I would speak without fear of him, for I am not so in myself.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 17:3
    You have tried my heart, you have visited me by...
    Psalms 26:2
    Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and...
    Psalms 66:10
    For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried ...
    Psalms 139:23
    Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and...
    Zechariah 13:9
    And I will put this third into the fire, and re...
    Malachi 3:3
    He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver...
    1 Peter 1:7
    So that the tested genuineness of your faith - ...
    Revelation 3:18
    I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fi...
    James 1:12
    Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under ...
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.