Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

And Job answers and says:

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

“Also—today my complaint [is] bitter, My hand has been heavy because of my sighing.

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

O that I had known—and I find Him, I come to His seat,

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

I arrange the cause 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 know the words He answers me, And understand what He says to me.

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

Does He strive with me in the abundance of power? No! Surely He puts [it] in me.

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

There the upright reason with Him, And I escape from mine who is judging—forever.

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

Behold, I go forward—and He is not, And backward—and I do not perceive Him.

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

[To] the left in His working—and I do not see, He is covered [on] the right, and I do not behold.

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

For He has known the way with me, He has tried me—I go forth as gold.

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

My foot has laid hold on His step, I have kept His way, and do not turn 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.

The command of His lips, and I do not depart. I have laid up above my allotted portion The sayings of His mouth.

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

And He [is] in one [mind], And who turns Him back? And His soul has desired—and He does [it].

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

For He completes my portion, And many such things [are] with Him.

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

Therefore, I am troubled at His presence, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

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

And God has made my heart soft, And the Mighty has troubled me.

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

For I have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.”