Job 23

1 Then responded Job, and said: —

And Job answers and says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 On the north, where he worketh, but I get no vision, He hideth himself on the south that 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 that I choose, Having tried me, as gold, I shall come forth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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