Job 23

1 Bvt Iob answered and sayd,

Then Job answered,

2 Though my talke be this day in bitternes, and my plague greater then my groning,

“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

3 Would God yet I knew how to finde him, I would enter vnto his place.

Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

4 I would pleade the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

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

5 I would knowe the wordes, that he would answere me, and would vnderstand what he would say vnto me.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

6 Would he plead against me with his great power? No, but he would put strength in me.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

7 There the righteous might reason with him, so I shoulde be deliuered for euer from my Iudge.

There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

8 Behold, if I go to the East, he is not there: if to the West, yet I can not perceiue him:

“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I cannot find him.

9 If to the North where he worketh, yet I cannot see him: he wil hide himselfe in the South, and I cannot beholde him.

He works to the north, but I cannot see him. He turns south, but I cannot catch a glimpse of him.

10 But he knoweth my way, and trieth mee, and I shall come forth like the gold.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

11 My foote hath followed his steps: his way haue I kept, and haue not declined.

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

12 Neyther haue I departed from the commandement of his lippes, and I haue esteemed the words of his mouth more then mine appointed foode.

I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

13 Yet he is in one minde, and who can turne him? yea, he doeth what his minde desireth.

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

14 For he will performe that, which is decreed of me, and many such things are with him.

For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

15 Therefore I am troubled at his presence, and in considering it, I am afraid of him.

Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

16 For God hath softened mine heart, and the Almightie hath troubled me.

For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

17 For I am not cut off in darknesse, but he hath hid the darkenesse from my face.

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.