Job 23

1 Then answered Job, and said,

Then Job answered, and said:

2 Even now is my complaint bitter: my suffering is heavier than my groans.

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

3 Oh who would grant that I knew where I might find him! that I might attain to his Judgment throne!

Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?

4 I would put in order before him my cause, and my mouth would I fill with arguments.

I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

5 I should know the words which he might answer me, and understand what he might say unto me.

That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

6 Would he with his power contend against me? he would truly not lay such doings to my charge.

I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

7 There would an upright one argue with him; and I should be allowed to escape for ever by my judge.

Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

8 But, lo, I go eastward—and he is not there; and to the west— and I cannot perceive him;

But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.

9 When he doth great things at the north, I behold him not; he hideth himself in the south—and I see him not.

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 But he knoweth the way that I take: were he to probe me, I should come forth as gold.

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

11 On his steps my foot hath held fast: his way have I kept, and swerved not.

My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

12 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.

I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

13 But he is unchangeably one, and who can turn him? And what his will desireth, even that he doth.

For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

14 For he will bring to completion what hath been destined for me: and like these hath he many other things with him.

And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

15 Therefore am I terrified at his presence: I will reflect, and be in dread of him.

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

16 Still God hath made timid my heart, and the Almighty hath terrified me;

God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

17 Because I was not destroyed before this darkness, and because he hath not hidden from my face [this] gloom.

For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.