Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said:

Job replied,

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

“Just the same, my complaints today remain bitter. In spite of my groaning he is still punishing me.

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

If only I knew where I could find him so I could go to where he sits in judgment.

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

There I would lay out my case before him and present all my arguments in full.

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

I would discover how he would answer me and learn what he has to say to me.

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

Would he fight against me using his mighty power? No, he would pay attention to what I have to say.

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

There a good person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

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

If I go to the east, he's not there; if I go the west, I don't find 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.

If he's working in the north, I don't perceive him; if he's moving south, I don't see him.

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

Yet he always knows where I'm going. When he has proved me, I will come out shining like gold.

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

I have kept in step with him; I have followed his way without turning 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.

I have not neglected his commands, for I value what he has told me to do more than the food I eat every day.

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

But God is unchangeable—who can turn him from his purposes? He does whatever he wants to do.

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

So he will finish whatever he has planned for me—and he has many plans for me.

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

That's why I'm terrified at meeting him; when I think of him I tremble with fear.

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

God has made me faint-hearted; the Almighty has scared me to death.

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

Yet I'm still here despite the dark—even though I can't see through the utter darkness.