< Job 23 >
1 Then Job answered and said,
Then responded Job, and said: —
2 Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.
Even to-day, is my complaint rebellion? His hand, is heavier than my groaning.
3 Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?
Oh that I knew where I might find him! I would come even unto his dwelling-place;
4 And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.
I would set out, before him, a plea, and, my mouth, would I fill 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 note the words wherewith he would respond to me, and would mark what he would say to me.
6 Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;
Would he, with fulness of might, contend with me? Nay, surely, he, would give heed to me!
7 for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgement to an end.
There an upright man, might reason with him, so should I deliver myself completely from my judge.
8 For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?
Behold! eastward, I go, but he is not there, and, westward, but I perceive him not;
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].
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 knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.
But, he, knoweth the way that I choose, Having tried me, as gold, I shall come forth.
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,
Of his steps, my foot taketh hold, His way, have I kept, and not swerved;
12 neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.
The command of his lips, and would not go back, and, in my bosom, have I treasured the words of his lips.
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 one, and who can turn him? What his soul desired, he hath done.
Surely he will accomplish what is decreed for me, and, many such things, hath he in store.
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.
For this cause, from his presence, am I driven in fear, I diligently consider and am kept back from him in dread:
16 But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.
Yea, GOD, hath made timid my heart, and, the Almighty, hath put me in terror.
17 For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.
Because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor, before my face, did the gloom form a shroud.