Job 23:6

Would he contend ¹  with me with great power? No, he would only pay attention to me. ² 

Job 9:19,33,34; Job 13:21; Ps 138:3; Isa 27:4,8; Eze 20:33,35; 2Co 12:9,10

¹ tn The verb is now רִיב (riv) and not יָכַח (yakhakh, “contend”); רִיב (riv) means “to quarrel; to dispute; to contend,” often in a legal context. Here it is still part of Job’s questioning about this hypothetical meeting – would God contend with all his power?

² tn The verbal clause יָשִׂם בִּי (yasim bi) has been translated “he would pay [attention] to me.” Job is saying that God will not need all his power – he will just have pay attention to Job’s complaint. Job does not need the display of power – he just wants a hearing.