Job 23

1 And Job answers and says:

And Job answers and says:

2 “Also—today my complaint [is] bitter, My hand has been heavy because of my sighing.

“Also—today my complaint [is] bitter, My hand has been heavy because of my sighing.

3 O that I had known—and I find Him, I come to His seat,

O that I had known—and I find Him, I come to His seat,

4 I arrange the cause before Him, And fill my mouth [with] arguments.

I arrange the cause before Him, And fill my mouth [with] arguments.

5 I know the words He answers me, And understand what He says to me.

I know the words He answers me, And understand what He says to me.

6 Does He strive with me in the abundance of power? No! Surely He puts [it] in me.

Does He strive with me in the abundance of power? No! Surely He puts [it] in me.

7 There the upright reason with Him, And I escape from mine who is judging—forever.

There the upright reason with Him, And I escape from mine who is judging—forever.

8 Behold, I go forward—and He is not, And backward—and I do not perceive Him.

Behold, I go forward—and He is not, And backward—and I do not perceive Him.

9 [To] the left in His working—and I do not see, He is covered [on] the right, and I do not behold.

[To] the left in His working—and I do not see, He is covered [on] the right, and I do not behold.

10 For He has known the way with me, He has tried me—I go forth as gold.

For He has known the way with me, He has tried me—I go forth as gold.

11 My foot has laid hold on His step, I have kept His way, and do not turn aside,

My foot has laid hold on His step, I have kept His way, and do not turn aside,

12 The command of His lips, and I do not depart. I have laid up above my allotted portion The sayings of His mouth.

The command of His lips, and I do not depart. I have laid up above my allotted portion The sayings of His mouth.

13 And He [is] in one [mind], And who turns Him back? And His soul has desired—and He does [it].

And He [is] in one [mind], And who turns Him back? And His soul has desired—and He does [it].

14 For He completes my portion, And many such things [are] with Him.

For He completes my portion, And many such things [are] with Him.

15 Therefore, I am troubled at His presence, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

Therefore, I am troubled at His presence, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

16 And God has made my heart soft, And the Mighty has troubled me.

And God has made my heart soft, And the Mighty has troubled me.

17 For I have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.”

For I have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.”