Job 23:4

2 “Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

3 If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.

I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.

6 Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.
KJV
I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
WEB
I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
ASV
I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.
DARBY
I would order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;
BLB
I would set forth to his face my case, and my mouth I would fill [with] arguments.
ÅB
Jeg skulle legge min sak fram for hans åsyn og fylle min munn med beviser.
OTB
Jeg ville legge frem min sak for Ham
og tale med overbevisning.
B1930
Jeg skulde legge min sak frem for hans åsyn og fylle min munn med beviser.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Job 13:18

    Behold, now that I have prepared my case, I know that I will be vindicated.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 9:18–19

    Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion.

    Read in context
  • Job 37:19

    Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot draw up our case when our faces are in darkness.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 18:25–32

    Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

    Read in context
  • Joshua 7:8–9

    O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies?

    Read in context
  • Genesis 32:12

    But You have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to count.’”

    Read in context
  • Exodus 32:12–13

    Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 43:26

    Remind Me, let us argue the matter together. State your case, so that you may be vindicated.

    Read in context