Job 23

1 Then Job answered, and said:

Then responded Job, and said: —

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

Even to-day, is my complaint rebellion? His hand, is heavier than my groaning.

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

Oh that I knew where I might find him! I would come even unto his dwelling-place;

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

I would set out, before him, a plea, and, my mouth, would I fill with arguments;

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

I would note the words wherewith he would respond to me, and would mark what he would say to me.

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

Would he, with fulness of might, contend with me? Nay, surely, he, would give heed to me!

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

There an upright man, might reason with him, so should I deliver myself completely from my judge.

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

Behold! eastward, I go, but he is not there, and, westward, but I perceive him not;

9 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.

On the north, where he worketh, but I get no vision, He hideth himself on the south that I cannot see him.

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

But, he, knoweth the way that I choose, Having tried me, as gold, I shall come forth.

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

Of his steps, my foot taketh hold, His way, have I kept, and not swerved;

12 I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

The command of his lips, and would not go back, and, in my bosom, have I treasured the words of his lips.

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

But, he, is one, and who can turn him? What his soul desired, he hath done.

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

Surely he will accomplish what is decreed for me, and, many such things, hath he in store.

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

For this cause, from his presence, am I driven in fear, I diligently consider and am kept back from him in dread:

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

Yea, GOD, hath made timid my heart, and, the Almighty, hath put me in terror.

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

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor, before my face, did the gloom form a shroud.