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.

Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.

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

Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?

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

And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.

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

And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would perceive what he would tell me.

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

Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;

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

for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgment to an end.

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

For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?

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 wrought on the left hand, then I observed [it] not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see [it].

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

For he knows already my way; and he has tried me 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.

And I will go forth according to his commandments, for I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,

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

neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words 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.

And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed [a thing] and done it.

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.

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

Therefore am I troubled at him; and when I was reproved, I thought of him. Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be afraid of him.

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

But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.

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

For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.