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,

Even today is my complaint rebellious: my stroke is heavier than 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 order my cause 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 say unto 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? Nay; but he would give heed unto 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 should I be delivered for ever 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:

Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive 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.

On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

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

But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

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

My foot hath held fast to his steps; his way have I kept, and turned not 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 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 is in one [mind], and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

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

For he performeth that which is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

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

Therefore am I troubled 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 hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath troubled 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.