Job 23

1 And Job made answer and said,

Then Job answered by saying:

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

Now again my conversation is in bitterness, and the force of my scourging weighs more heavily on me because of my mourning.

3 If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!

Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and that I may approach even to his throne?

4 I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,

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

so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.

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

I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk of his greatness.

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

Let him show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.

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

If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will not understand 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.

If I turn to the left, what can I do? I will not take hold of him. If I turn myself to the right, I will not see him.

10 For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.

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 been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed from it.

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I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.

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

For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.

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.

And when he fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.

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

And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.

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

God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.

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

Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.