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 rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

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

Oh that I knew where I might find him! 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 set my cause in order 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 know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

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

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

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

There the upright might reason with him, so I should 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. If I go west, I can’t 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.

He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

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

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

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

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

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

I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

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

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

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

For he performs that which is appointed for me. 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 terrified at his presence. 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 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.

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.