Job 23:4

23:4 I would lay out my case ¹  before him

and fill my mouth with arguments.

Job 13:16

13:16 Moreover, this will become my deliverance,

for no godless person would come before him. ² 

Job 35:14

35:14 How much less, then,

when you say that you do not perceive him,

that the case is before him

and you are waiting for him! ³ 

[23:4]  ¹ tn The word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) is normally “judgment; decision.” But in these contexts it refers to the legal case that Job will bring before God. With the verb עָרַךְ (’arakh, “to set in order; to lay out”) the whole image of drawing up a lawsuit is complete.

[13:16]  ² sn The fact that Job will dare to come before God and make his case is evidence – to Job at least – that he is innocent.

[35:14]  ³ sn The point is that if God does not listen to those who do not turn to him, how much less likely is he to turn to one who complains against him.