Job 23

1 Then responded Job, and said: —

And Job answereth and saith: —

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

Also — to-day [is] my complaint bitter, My hand hath 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 in unto His seat,

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

I arrange before Him the cause, And my mouth fill [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 doth answer me, And understand what He saith to me.

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

In the abundance of power doth He strive with me? No! surely He putteth [it] in me.

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

There the upright doth reason with Him, And I escape for ever from my judge.

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

Lo, forward I go — and He is not, And backward — and I perceive him not.

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 see not, He is covered [on] the right, and I behold not.

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

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

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

On His step hath my foot laid hold, His way I have kept, and turn not 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 depart not. Above my allotted portion I have laid up 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 doth turn Him back? And His soul hath desired — and He doth [it].

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

For He doth complete 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, from His presence I am troubled, 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 hath made my heart soft, And the Mighty hath 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.