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 to day is my complaint bitter: 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.

Oh 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 order my 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 know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

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

Will 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 dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever 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, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth 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 knoweth the way that I take: when he hath 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 hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and 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.

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 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 desireth, even that he doeth.

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

For he performeth the thing that 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 am I troubled 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 El maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth 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, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.