Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said,

Then Job answered and said,

2 Even today my complaint is rebellious. My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

“Even today my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy because of my groaning.

3 O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!

Oh, that I knew where I might find him! Oh, that I might come to his place!

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

I would lay my case in order before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

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

I would learn the words with which he would answer me and would understand what he would say to me.

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

Would he argue against me in the greatness of his power? No, he would pay attention to me.

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

There the upright person might argue with him. In this way I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive him,

See, I go eastward, but he is not there, and westward, but I cannot perceive him.

9 on the left hand, when he works, but I cannot behold him. He hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

To the north, where he is at work, but I cannot see him, and to the south, where he hides himself so that I cannot see him.

10 But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come out like gold.

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

My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept to his way and turned not aside.

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

I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desires, even that he does.

But he is one of a kind, who can turn him back? What he desires, he does.

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

For he carries out his decree against me; there are many like them.

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

Therefore, I am terrified in his presence; when I think about him, I am afraid of him.

16 For God has made my heart faint, and the Almighty has terrified me,

For God has made my heart weak; the Almighty has terrified me.

17 because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

I have not been brought to an end by darkness, because of the thick darkness that covers the gloom of my face.