Job 23

1 Job replied,

Then answered Job, and said,

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

Even now is my complaint bitter: my suffering is heavier than my groans.

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

Oh who would grant that I knew where I might find him! that I might attain to his Judgment throne!

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

I would put in order before him my cause, and my mouth would I fill with arguments.

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

I should know the words which he might answer me, and understand what he might say unto me.

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

Would he with his power contend against me? he would truly not lay such doings to my charge.

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

There would an upright one argue with him; and I should be allowed to escape for ever by my judge.

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

But, lo, I go eastward—and he is not there; and to the west— and 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.

When he doth great things at the north, I behold him not; he hideth himself in the south—and I see him not.

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: were he to probe me, I should come forth as gold.

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

On his steps my foot hath held fast: his way have I kept, and swerved not.

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.

From the commandment of his lips have I also not moved away: as a fixed statute for me have I treasured up the sayings of his mouth.

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

But he is unchangeably one, and who can turn him? And what his will desireth, even that he doth.

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

For he will bring to completion what hath been destined for me: and like these hath he many other things with him.

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

Therefore am I terrified at his presence: I will reflect, and be in dread of him.

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

Still God hath made timid my heart, and the Almighty hath 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 destroyed before this darkness, and because he hath not hidden from my face [this] gloom.