Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said,

Then Job answered, and said:

2 Even to day [is] my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!

Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?

4 I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

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

That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

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

I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

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

Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

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

But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.

9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him: ] he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him: ]

If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].

I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

13 But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.

For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

14 For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] with him.

And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.

For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.