Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said:

And Job answers and says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 To the north, where he worketh, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the south, and I cannot see him.

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

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

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

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

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

12 I have not neglected the precepts of his lips; Above my own law have I esteemed the words 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 But he is of one mind, and who can turn him? And what he desireth, that he doeth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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