Job 23

1 Then responded Job, and said: —

Then Job answered and said:

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

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

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

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

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

I would order my 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 should know what he would answer me, And understand 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 contend with me with his mighty power? No! he would have regard to me.

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

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

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

But, behold, I go eastward, and he is not there; And westward, but I cannot 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 north, where he worketh, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the south, and I cannot see him.

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

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

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

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

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 neglected the precepts of his lips; Above my own law have I esteemed the words of his mouth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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