Job 23

1 Then responded Job, and said: —

And Job made answer and said,

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

Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

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

If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!

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

I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

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

I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.

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

Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.

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

There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.

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

See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;

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

I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him.

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

For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

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

My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

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 never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.

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

But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.

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

For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs.

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

For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

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

For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

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

For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.