Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said,
Then Job answered, and said:
2 Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.
Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.
3 Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?
Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?
4 And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.
I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.
5 And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would perceive what he would tell me.
That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
6 Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;
I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.
7 for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgment to an end.
Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.
8 For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?
But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.
9 When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed [it] not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see [it].
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 For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.
But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:
11 And I will go forth according to his commandments, for I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,
My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.
12 neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.
I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.
13 And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed [a thing] and done it.
For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.
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 him; and when I was reproved, I thought of him. Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be afraid of him.
And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.
16 But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.
God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.
17 For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.
For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.
