Job 23

1 And Job answers and says:

2 “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,

4 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.

6 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.

8 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.

10 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,

12 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].

14 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.

16 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.”