Job 23

1 Then Job answered by saying:

Then Job answered and said,

2 Now again my conversation is in bitterness, and the force of my scourging weighs more heavily on me because of my mourning.

Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3 Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and that I may approach even to his throne?

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

4 I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,

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

5 so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.

I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me.

6 I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk of his greatness.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

7 Let him show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.

There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

8 If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will not understand him.

Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there]; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;

9 If I turn to the left, what can I do? I will not take hold of him. If I turn myself to the right, I will not see him.

On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

10 Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.

But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 My feet have been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed from it.

My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

12 I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.

I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

13 For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.

But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

14 And when he fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.

For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.

15 And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.

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

16 God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.

For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me;

17 Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.

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