Job 23

1 Job replied,

Then Job answered and said,

2 “Just the same, my complaints today remain bitter. In spite of my groaning he is still punishing me.

Even today my complaint is rebellious. My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3 If only I knew where I could find him so I could go to where he sits in judgment.

O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!

4 There I would lay out my case before him and present all my arguments in full.

I would set my case in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would discover how he would answer me and learn what he has to say to me.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

6 Would he fight against me using his mighty power? No, he would pay attention to what I have to say.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would give heed to me.

7 There a good person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

There the upright might reason with him. So I should be delivered forever from my judge.

8 If I go to the east, he's not there; if I go the west, I don't find him.

Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive him,

9 If he's working in the north, I don't perceive him; if he's moving south, I don't see him.

on the left hand, when he works, but I cannot behold him. He hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

10 Yet he always knows where I'm going. When he has proved me, I will come out shining like gold.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 I have kept in step with him; I have followed his way without turning aside.

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned aside.

12 I have not neglected his commands, for I value what he has told me to do more than the food I eat every day.

I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips, I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

13 But God is unchangeable—who can turn him from his purposes? He does whatever he wants to do.

But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desires, even that he does.

14 So he will finish whatever he has planned for me—and he has many plans for me.

For he performs that which is appointed for me. And many such things are with him.

15 That's why I'm terrified at meeting him; when I think of him I tremble with fear.

Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

16 God has made me faint-hearted; the Almighty has scared me to death.

For God has made my heart faint, and the Almighty has terrified me,

17 Yet I'm still here despite the dark—even though I can't see through the utter darkness.

because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor did he cover the thick darkness from my face.