Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said:

Then 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 even to his seat!

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

I would know the words which 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.

Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

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

There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

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

Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot 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 does work, but I cannot behold him: he hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

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

But he knows the way that I take: when he has tried 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 has held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

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 esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

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 desires, even that he does.

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

For he performs the thing that 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: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

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

For God makes my heart soft, and the Almighty troubles 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 has he covered the darkness from my face.