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.
Even to day [is] my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?
Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!
4 And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.
I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would perceive what he would tell me.
I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6 Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;
Will he plead against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put [strength] in me.
7 for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgment to an end.
There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8 For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?
Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there; ] and backward, but I cannot perceive 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].
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: ]
10 For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.
But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
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 held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12 neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.
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 And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed [a thing] and done it.
But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.
For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] 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.
Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.
For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17 For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.
Because I was not cut off before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.
