Which Bible translation is shown on Job 23?

This page reproduces the public-domain World English Bible Protestant edition.

How should I cite a verse in Job 23?

Use the book, chapter, and verse, and name the World English Bible when the wording matters.

Job 23 (WEB) — Full Text

Old Testament

Job 23

1Then Job answered,

2“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

3Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

4I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

7There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

8“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

9He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

10But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

11My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

12I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

13But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

14For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

15Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

16For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

READ IN CONTEXT

Before applying this chapter

Suffering, protest, limited human knowledge, friendship, and encounter with the sovereign God. Read Job 23 within the complete Job overview, and use the contextual Bible reading guide before forming a personal application. Chapter divisions aid navigation, but the literary unit may begin earlier or continue into the next chapter.

Observe first

Mark repeated words, changes of speaker, commands, promises, contrasts, questions, and the relationship between paragraphs.

Apply responsibly

Distinguish description from command and immediate audience from later readers before forming a personal application.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Job 23

Job 23 contains 17 verses and about 255 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “Then Job answered,” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 17 closes: “Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include might, can’t, find, mouth, words, terrified. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Job 23

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Job 23:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.