Job 23

1 And Job made answer and said,

Then Job answered:

2 Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

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

3 If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so 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 put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

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

5 I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.

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

6 Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.

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

7 There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.

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

8 See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;

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

9 I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him.

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

10 For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested 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 feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.

12 I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.

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 his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.

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

14 For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs.

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

15 For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.

16 For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

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

17 For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.

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