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.
Still is my complaint bitter; But my wound is deeper than my groaning.
3 Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?
O that I knew where I might find him! That I might go before his throne!
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 should know what 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;
Would he contend with me with his mighty power? No! he would have regard to me.
7 for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgment to an end.
Then would an upright man contend with him, And I should be fully acquitted by my judge.
8 For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?
But, behold, I go eastward, and he is not there; And westward, 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].
To the north, where he worketh, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the south, and I cannot see him.
10 For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.
But he knoweth the way which is in my heart; When he trieth 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 feet have trodden in his steps; His way I have kept, and have not turned aside from it.
12 neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.
I have not neglected the precepts of his lips; Above my own law have I esteemed the words 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 of one mind, and who can turn him? And what he desireth, that he doeth.
He performeth that which is appointed for me; And many such things are in his mind!
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 I am in terror on account of him; 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 faint; Yea, the Almighty terrifieth 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 taken away before darkness came, And he hath not hidden darkness from mine eyes.
