Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said,
Bvt Iob answered and sayd,
2 Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.
Though my talke be this day in bitternes, and my plague greater then my groning,
3 Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?
Would God yet I knew how to finde him, I would enter vnto his place.
4 And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.
I would pleade the cause 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 knowe the wordes, that he would answere me, and would vnderstand what he would say vnto me.
6 Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;
Would he plead against me with his great power? No, but he would put strength in me.
7 for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgement to an end.
There the righteous might reason with him, so I shoulde be deliuered for euer from my Iudge.
8 For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?
Behold, if I go to the East, he is not there: if to the West, yet I can not perceiue 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].
If to the North where he worketh, yet I cannot see him: he wil hide himselfe in the South, and I cannot beholde him.
10 For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.
But he knoweth my way, and trieth mee, and I shall come forth like the 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 foote hath followed his steps: his way haue I kept, and haue not declined.
12 neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.
Neyther haue I departed from the commandement of his lippes, and I haue esteemed the words of his mouth more then mine appointed foode.
13 And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed [a thing] and done it.
Yet he is in one minde, and who can turne him? yea, he doeth what his minde desireth.
For he will performe that, which is decreed of me, and many such things are with him.
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 troubled at his presence, and in considering it, I am afraid of him.
16 But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.
For God hath softened mine heart, and the Almightie hath troubled me.
17 For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.
For I am not cut off in darknesse, but he hath hid the darkenesse from my face.
