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 bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

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

If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.

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

I would plead my case 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 learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.

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

Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

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

Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would 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, and 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.

When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

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

Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

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

My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.

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 departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

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

But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.

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

For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.

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

Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.

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

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.

Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.