< Job 23 >

1 And Job answered and said,
And Job answers and says:
2 Even to-day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
“Also—today my complaint [is] bitter, My hand has been heavy because of my sighing.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come to his seat!
O that I had known—and I find Him, I come to His seat,
4 I would order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;
I arrange the cause 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 know the words He answers me, And understand what He says to me.
6 Would he plead against me with [his] great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.
Does He strive with me in the abundance of power? No! Surely He puts [it] in me.
7 There would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered for ever from my judge.
There the upright reason with Him, And I escape from mine who is judging—forever.
8 Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive him;
Behold, I go forward—and He is not, And backward—and I do not 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.
[To] the left in His working—and I do not see, He is covered [on] the right, and I do not behold.
10 But he knoweth the way that I take; he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.
For He has known the way with me, He has tried me—I go forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held to his steps; his way have I kept, and not turned aside.
My foot has laid hold on His step, I have kept His way, and do not turn 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.
The command of His lips, and I do not depart. I have laid up above my allotted portion 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.
And He [is] in one [mind], And who turns Him back? And His soul has desired—and He does [it].
14 For he will perform [what] is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.
For He completes my portion, And many such things [are] with Him.
15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence; I consider, and I am afraid of him.
Therefore, I am troubled at His presence, I consider, and am afraid of Him.
16 For God hath made my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me;
And God has made my heart soft, And the Mighty has troubled me.
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.
For I have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.”

< Job 23 >