Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

And Job answereth and saith: —

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

Also — to-day [is] my complaint bitter, My hand hath 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 in unto His seat,

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

I arrange before Him the cause, And my mouth fill [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 doth answer me, And understand what He saith to me.

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

In the abundance of power doth He strive with me? No! surely He putteth [it] in me.

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

There the upright doth reason with Him, And I escape for ever from my judge.

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

Lo, forward I go — and He is not, And backward — and I perceive him not.

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 see not, He is covered [on] the right, and I behold not.

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

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

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

On His step hath my foot laid hold, His way I have kept, and turn 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.

The command of His lips, and I depart not. Above my allotted portion I have laid up 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 doth turn Him back? And His soul hath desired — and He doth [it].

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

For He doth complete 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, from His presence I am troubled, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

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

And God hath made my heart soft, And the Mighty hath 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.