< Job 23 >

1 And Job made answer and said,
Then answered Job, and said,
2 Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.
Even now is my complaint bitter: my suffering is heavier than my groans.
3 If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!
Oh who would grant that I knew where I might find him! that I might attain to his Judgment throne!
4 I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.
I would put in order before him my cause, and my mouth would I fill with arguments.
5 I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.
I should know the words which he might answer me, and understand what he might say unto me.
6 Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.
Would he with his power contend against me? he would truly not lay such doings to my charge.
7 There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.
There would an upright one argue with him; and I should be allowed to escape for ever by my judge.
8 See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;
But, lo, I go eastward—and he is not there; and to the west— and I cannot perceive 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 doth great things at the north, I behold him not; he hideth himself in the south—and I see him not.
10 For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.
But he knoweth the way that I take: were he to probe me, I should 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.
On his steps my foot hath held fast: his way have I kept, and swerved not.
12 I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.
From the commandment of his lips have I also not moved away: as a fixed statute for me have I treasured up the sayings of his mouth.
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 unchangeably one, and who can turn him? And what his will desireth, even that he doth.
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 will bring to completion what hath been destined for me: and like these hath he many other things with him.
15 For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.
Therefore am I terrified at his presence: I will reflect, and be in dread of him.
16 For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.
Still God hath made timid my heart, and the Almighty hath terrified me;
17 For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.
Because I was not destroyed before this darkness, and because he hath not hidden from my face [this] gloom.

< Job 23 >