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.

Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of my groaning.

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

Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat!

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

I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

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

I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me.

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

Would He contend with me in His great power? Nay; but He would give heed unto me.

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

There the upright might reason with Him; so should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.

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

Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive 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.

On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

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

For He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

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

My foot hath held fast to His steps, His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

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 gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured up the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

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

But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.

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

For He will perform that which is appointed for me; and many such things are with Him.

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

Therefore am I affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

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

Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted me;

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

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did He cover the thick darkness from my face.