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.

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

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

Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!

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 would know the words [which] 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 plead against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put [strength] in me.

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

There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

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

Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, 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.

On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hideth himself on the right hand, that 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 that I take: [when] he hath tried 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 foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

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.

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].

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

But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.

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

For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] with him.

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

Therefore am I troubled at his presence: 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 soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

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

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.