Job 23

1 And Job made answer and said,

Then responded Job, and said: —

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

Even to-day, is my complaint rebellion? His hand, is heavier than 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! I would come even unto his dwelling-place;

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

I would set out, before him, a plea, 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 would note the words wherewith he would respond to me, and would mark 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.

Would he, with fulness of might, contend with me? Nay, surely, he, would give heed to me!

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

There an upright man, might reason with him, so should I deliver myself completely from my judge.

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

Behold! eastward, I go, but he is not there, and, westward, but I perceive him not;

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.

On the north, where he worketh, but I get no vision, He hideth himself on the south that I cannot 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 the way that I choose, Having tried me, as gold, I shall come forth.

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

Of his steps, my foot taketh hold, His way, have I kept, and not swerved;

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

The command of his lips, and would not go back, and, in my bosom, have I treasured the words of his lips.

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 one, and who can turn him? What his soul desired, he hath 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.

Surely he will accomplish what is decreed for me, and, many such things, hath he in store.

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

For this cause, from his presence, am I driven in fear, I diligently consider and am kept back from him in dread:

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

Yea, GOD, hath made timid my heart, and, the Almighty, hath put me in terror.

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, nor, before my face, did the gloom form a shroud.