Job 23

1 Bvt Iob answered and sayd,

Then Job answered, and said:

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

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

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

Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?

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

I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

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

That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

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

I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

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

Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

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

But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand 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.

If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

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

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

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

My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

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 commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

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

For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

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

And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

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

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

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

God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

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

For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.