Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

Then Job answered:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

8 “If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I cannot find him.

If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

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

When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

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

Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

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

My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning 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 departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

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

But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.

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

For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.

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 consider this, I fear Him.

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

God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

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

Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.