Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said:

And Job answered and said,

2 Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of my groaning.

Even to-day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3 Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat!

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

4 I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;

5 I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me.

I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

6 Would He contend with me in His great power? Nay; but He would give heed unto me.

Would he plead against me with [his] great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

7 There the upright might reason with Him; so should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.

There would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered for ever from my judge.

8 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive him;

9 On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

On the left hand, where he doth work, but I behold [him] not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see [him] not.

10 For He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

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

11 My foot hath held fast to His steps, His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

My foot hath held to his steps; his way have I kept, and not turned aside.

12 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.

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have laid up the words of his mouth more than the purpose of my own heart.

13 But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.

But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, that will he do.

14 For He will perform that which is appointed for me; and many such things are with Him.

For he will perform [what] is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.

15 Therefore am I affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

Therefore am I troubled at his presence; I consider, and I am afraid of him.

16 Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted me;

For God hath made my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me;

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

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.