Job 23

1 And Job answered and said,

Then answered Job, and said,

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

Even now is my complaint bitter: my suffering is heavier than my groans.

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

Oh who would grant that I knew where I might find him! that I might attain to his Judgment throne!

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

I would put in order before him my cause, and my mouth would I fill with arguments.

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

I should know the words which he might answer me, and understand what he might say unto me.

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

Would he with his power contend against me? he would truly not lay such doings to my charge.

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

There would an upright one argue with him; and I should be allowed to escape for ever by my judge.

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

But, lo, I go eastward—and he is not there; and to the west— and I cannot perceive 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 doth great things at the north, I behold him not; he hideth himself in the south—and I see him not.

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

But he knoweth the way that I take: were he to probe me, I should come forth as gold.

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

On his steps my foot hath held fast: his way have I kept, and swerved not.

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.

From the commandment of his lips have I also not moved away: as a fixed statute for me have I treasured up the sayings of his mouth.

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

But he is unchangeably one, and who can turn him? And what his will desireth, even that he doth.

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

For he will bring to completion what hath been destined for me: and like these hath he many other things with him.

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

Therefore am I terrified at his presence: I will reflect, and be in dread of him.

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

Still God hath made timid my heart, and the Almighty hath terrified me;

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

Because I was not destroyed before this darkness, and because he hath not hidden from my face [this] gloom.