Job 23

1 Job replied,

And Job answers and says:

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

“Also—today my complaint [is] bitter, My hand has been heavy because of my sighing.

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

O that I had known—and I find Him, I come to His seat,

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

I arrange 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 know the words He answers me, And understand what He says to me.

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

Does He strive with me in the abundance of power? No! Surely He puts [it] in me.

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

There the upright reason with Him, And I escape from mine who is judging—forever.

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—and He is not, And backward—and I do not 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.

[To] the left in His working—and I do not see, He is covered [on] the right, and I do not behold.

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

For He has known the way with me, He has tried me—I go forth as gold.

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

My foot has laid hold on His step, I have kept His way, and do not turn 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.

The command of His lips, and I do not depart. I have laid up above my allotted portion The sayings of His mouth.

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

And He [is] in one [mind], And who turns Him back? And His soul has desired—and He does [it].

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

For He completes my portion, 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, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

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

And God has made my heart soft, And the Mighty has troubled me.

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

For I have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.”