Job 23

1 And Job answered and said,

Then Job answered:

2 Even to-day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

“Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

3 Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come to his seat!

If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.

4 I would order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;

I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.

6 Would he plead against me with [his] great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

7 There would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered for ever from my judge.

Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

8 Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive him;

If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I behold [him] not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see [him] not.

When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

10 But he knoweth the way that I take; he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.

Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

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

My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.

12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have laid up the words of his mouth more than the purpose of my own heart.

I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

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

But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.

14 For he will perform [what] is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.

For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.

15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence; I consider, and I am afraid of him.

Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.

16 For God hath made my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me;

God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.

Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.