Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said:

Then responded Job, and said: —

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

Even to-day, is my complaint rebellion? His hand, is heavier than my groaning.

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

Oh that I knew where I might find him! I would come even unto his dwelling-place;

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

I would set out, before him, a plea, and, my mouth, would I fill with arguments;

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

I would note the words wherewith he would respond to me, and would mark what he would say to me.

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

Would he, with fulness of might, contend with me? Nay, surely, he, would give heed to me!

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

There an upright man, might reason with him, so should I deliver myself completely from my judge.

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

Behold! eastward, I go, but he is not there, and, westward, but I perceive him not;

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

On the north, where he worketh, but I get no vision, He hideth himself on the south that I cannot see him.

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

But, he, knoweth the way that I choose, Having tried me, as gold, I shall come forth.

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

Of his steps, my foot taketh hold, His way, have I kept, and not swerved;

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 would not go back, and, in my bosom, have I treasured the words of his lips.

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

But, he, is one, and who can turn him? What his soul desired, he hath done.

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

Surely he will accomplish what is decreed for me, and, many such things, hath he in store.

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

For this cause, from his presence, am I driven in fear, I diligently consider and am kept back from him in dread:

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

Yea, GOD, hath made timid my heart, and, the Almighty, hath put me in terror.

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

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor, before my face, did the gloom form a shroud.