Job 23

1 Job replied,

Then responded Job, 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 rebellion? His hand, 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! I would come even unto his dwelling-place;

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

I would set out, before him, a plea, 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 would note the words wherewith he would respond to me, and would mark what he would say to 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 fulness of might, contend with me? Nay, surely, he, would give heed to me!

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

There an upright man, might reason with him, so should I deliver myself completely 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! eastward, I go, but he is not there, and, westward, but I perceive him not;

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 north, where he worketh, but I get no vision, He hideth himself on the south 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 choose, Having tried me, as gold, I shall come forth.

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

Of his steps, my foot taketh hold, His way, have I kept, and not swerved;

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 would not go back, and, in my bosom, have I treasured the words of his lips.

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

But, he, is one, and who can turn him? What his soul desired, he hath done.

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

Surely he will accomplish what is decreed for me, and, many such things, hath he in store.

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

For this cause, from his presence, am I driven in fear, I diligently consider and am kept back from him in dread:

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

Yea, GOD, hath made timid my heart, and, the Almighty, hath put me in terror.

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, nor, before my face, did the gloom form a shroud.