Job 23

1 Then responded Job, and said: —

Then Job answered:

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

“Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

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

If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.

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

I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

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

I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.

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

Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

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

Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

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

If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

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

When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

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

Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

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

My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.

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

I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

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

But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.

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

For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.

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

Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.

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

God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

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

Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.