Job 23

1 Bvt Iob answered and sayd,

Then responded Job, and said: —

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

Even to-day, is my complaint rebellion? His hand, 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! I would come even unto his dwelling-place;

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

I would set out, before him, a plea, and, my mouth, would I fill with arguments;

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

I would note the words wherewith he would respond to me, and would mark what he would say to me.

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

Would he, with fulness of might, contend with me? Nay, surely, he, would give heed to me!

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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