Job 23

1 And Job made answer and said,

Then Job answered, and said:

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

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than 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 come even to his throne?

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

I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

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

That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

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

I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight 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 propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

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

But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall 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 to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

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

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the 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 foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined 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 departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

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 man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

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 shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

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

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

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

God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

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

For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.