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.

Still is my complaint bitter; But my wound is deeper than my groaning.

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

O that I knew where I might find him! That I might go before his throne!

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 should know what 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.

Would he contend with me with his mighty power? No! he would have regard to me.

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

Then would an upright man contend with him, And I should be fully acquitted by my judge.

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

But, behold, I go eastward, and he is not there; And westward, 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.

To the north, where he worketh, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the south, and I cannot 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 the way which is in my heart; When he trieth 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 feet have trodden in his steps; His way I have kept, and have not turned aside 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 neglected the precepts of his lips; Above my own law have I esteemed the words of his mouth.

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

But he is of one mind, and who can turn him? And what he desireth, 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.

He performeth that which is appointed for me; And many such things are in his mind!

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

Therefore I am in terror on account of him; When I consider, I am afraid of him.

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

For God maketh my heart faint; Yea, the Almighty terrifieth 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 taken away before darkness came, And he hath not hidden darkness from mine eyes.