Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said,
Then Job answered:
2 Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.
“Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?
If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.
4 And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.
I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would perceive what he would tell me.
I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.
6 Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;
Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.
7 for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgement to an end.
Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.
8 For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?
If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.
9 When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed [it] not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see [it].
When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.
10 For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 And I will go forth according to his commandments, for I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,
My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.
12 neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.
I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
13 And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed [a thing] and done it.
But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.
For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.
15 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.
Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.
16 But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.
God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.
17 For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.
Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.
