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.

Still is my complaint bitter; But my wound is deeper than my groaning.

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

O that I knew where I might find him! That I might go before his throne!

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

I would order my 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 should know what 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.

Would he contend with me with his mighty power? No! he would have regard to me.

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

Then would an upright man contend with him, And I should be fully acquitted by my judge.

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

But, behold, I go eastward, and he is not there; And westward, but 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.

To the north, where he worketh, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the south, and I cannot see him.

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

But he knoweth the way which is in my heart; When he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.

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

My feet have trodden in his steps; His way I have kept, and have not turned aside 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 neglected the precepts of his lips; Above my own law have I esteemed the words 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 of one mind, and who can turn him? And what he desireth, that he doeth.

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

He performeth that which is appointed for me; And many such things are in his mind!

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

Therefore I am in terror on account of him; When I consider, I am afraid of him.

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

For God maketh my heart faint; Yea, the Almighty terrifieth me;

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

Because I was not taken away before darkness came, And he hath not hidden darkness from mine eyes.