Job 23

1 And Job made answer and said,

Job replied,

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

“Just the same, my complaints today remain bitter. In spite of my groaning he is still punishing me.

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 I could find him so I could go to where he sits in judgment.

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

There I would lay out my case before him and present all my arguments in full.

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

I would discover how he would answer me and learn what he has to say to me.

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

Would he fight against me using his mighty power? No, he would pay attention to what I have to say.

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

There a good person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

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's not there; if I go the west, I don't 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.

If he's working in the north, I don't perceive him; if he's moving south, I don't 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 always knows where I'm going. When he has proved me, I will come out shining like gold.

11 My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

I have kept in step with him; I have followed 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 neglected his commands, for I value what he has told me to do more than the food I eat every day.

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

But God is unchangeable—who can turn him from his purposes? He does whatever he wants to do.

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.

So he will finish whatever he has planned for me—and he has many plans for me.

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

That's why I'm terrified at meeting him; when I think of him I tremble with fear.

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

God has made me faint-hearted; the Almighty has scared me to death.

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

Yet I'm still here despite the dark—even though I can't see through the utter darkness.