Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said,
Then answered Job, and said,
2 Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.
Even now is my complaint bitter: my suffering is heavier than my groans.
3 Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?
Oh who would grant that I knew where I might find him! that I might attain to his Judgment throne!
4 And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.
I would put in order before him my cause, and my mouth would I fill 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 should know the words which he might answer me, and understand what he might say unto me.
6 Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;
Would he with his power contend against me? he would truly not lay such doings to my charge.
7 for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgment to an end.
There would an upright one argue with him; and I should be allowed to escape for ever by my judge.
8 For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?
But, lo, I go eastward—and he is not there; and to the west— and 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].
When he doth great things at the north, I behold him not; he hideth himself in the south—and I see him not.
10 For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.
But he knoweth the way that I take: were he to probe me, I should 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,
On his steps my foot hath held fast: his way have I kept, and swerved not.
12 neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.
From the commandment of his lips have I also not moved away: as a fixed statute for me have I treasured up the sayings of his mouth.
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 unchangeably one, and who can turn him? And what his will desireth, even that he doth.
For he will bring to completion what hath been destined for me: and like these hath he many other things 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 terrified at his presence: I will reflect, and be in dread of him.
16 But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.
Still God hath made timid my heart, and the Almighty hath terrified 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 destroyed before this darkness, and because he hath not hidden from my face [this] gloom.
