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.

Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of 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 Will he plead against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put [strength] in me.

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

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

There the upright might reason 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, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him: ] he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him: ]

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.

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

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

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

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

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 gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured up the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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