Ayub (Job) — 23

Ayub’s 8th Speech: A Response to Aliphaz

1 Then Ayub spoke again:

2 “My complaint today is still a bitter one,    and I try hard not to groan aloud.

3 If only I knew where to find my 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH, I would go to His court.

4 I would lay out my case and present my arguments.

5 Then I would listen to his reply and understand what He says to me.

6 Would He use His great power to argue with me? No, He would give me a fair hearing.

7 Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge.

8 I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find Him.

9 I do not see Him in the north, for He is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed.

10 “But 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.

11 For I have stayed on the path of my 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH; I have followed His ways and not turned aside.

12 I have not departed from His Commandments, but have treasured His Dabar more than daily food.

13 But once 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has made His decision, who can change His mind?    Whatever 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH wants to do, He does.

14 So 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH will do to me whatever He has planned. He controls my destiny.

15 No wonder I am so terrified in His presence. When I think of it, terror grips me.

16 For my 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH has made me sick at heart; the AL'Mighty has terrified me.

17 Darkness is all around me; thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere.