Job 23

1 And Job answered and said,

Then Job answered, and said:

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

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

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

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

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

I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

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

That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

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

I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

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

Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

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

But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand 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.

If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

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

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

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

My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

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 commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

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

For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

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

And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

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

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

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

God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

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

For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.