Job 23

1 Job replied,

Bvt Iob answered and sayd,

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

Though my talke be this day in bitternes, and my plague greater then my groning,

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

Would God yet I knew how to finde him, I would enter vnto his place.

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

I would pleade the cause 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 knowe the wordes, that he would answere me, and would vnderstand what he would say vnto me.

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

Would he plead against me with his great power? No, but he would put strength in me.

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

There the righteous might reason with him, so I shoulde be deliuered for euer from my Iudge.

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

Behold, if I go to the East, he is not there: if to the West, yet I can not perceiue him:

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

If to the North where he worketh, yet I cannot see him: he wil hide himselfe in the South, and I cannot beholde him.

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

But he knoweth my way, and trieth mee, and I shall come forth like the gold.

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

My foote hath followed his steps: his way haue I kept, and haue not declined.

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.

Neyther haue I departed from the commandement of his lippes, and I haue esteemed the words of his mouth more then mine appointed foode.

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

Yet he is in one minde, and who can turne him? yea, he doeth what his minde desireth.

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

For he will performe that, which is decreed of 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 troubled at his presence, and in considering it, I am afraid of him.

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

For God hath softened mine heart, and the Almightie hath troubled me.

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

For I am not cut off in darknesse, but he hath hid the darkenesse from my face.