Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

Then Job answered and said:

2 "Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

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

3 Oh that I knew where I might find him. That I might come even to his seat.

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

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

I would order my cause before him, And fill my mouth with arguments;

5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

I should know what he would answer me, And understand what he would say to me.

6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

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

7 There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

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

8 "If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can't find him;

But, behold, I go eastward, and he is not there; And westward, but I cannot perceive him;

9 He works to the north, but I can't see him. He turns south, but I can't catch a glimpse of him.

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 knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth like gold.

But he knoweth the way which is in my heart; When he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned aside.

My feet have trodden in his steps; His way I have kept, and have not turned aside from it.

12 I haven't gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

I have not neglected the precepts of his lips; Above my own law have I esteemed the words of his mouth.

13 But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

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

14 For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

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

15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

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

16 For God has made my heart faint. Shaddai has terrified me.

For God maketh my heart faint; Yea, the Almighty terrifieth me;

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

Because I was not taken away before darkness came, And he hath not hidden darkness from mine eyes.