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.

Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.

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

Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?

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

And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.

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

And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would perceive what he would tell me.

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

Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;

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

for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgment to an end.

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

For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?

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

When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed [it] not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see [it].

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

For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.

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

And I will go forth according to his commandments, for I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,

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 shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.

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

And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed [a thing] and done it.

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

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

Therefore am I troubled at him; and when I was reproved, I thought of him. Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be afraid of him.

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

But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.

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

For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.