Job 23

1 And Job made answer and said,

Then Job answered,

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

"Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

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

Oh that I knew where I might find him. That I might come even to his seat.

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

I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

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

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand 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.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

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

There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

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

"If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can'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.

He works to the north, but I can't see him. He turns south, but I can't catch a glimpse of him.

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

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth 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.

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned 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 haven't gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

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

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

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 performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

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

Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

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

For God has made my heart faint. Shaddai has terrified me.

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

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.