Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said,

Then Job answered, and said:

2 “Even today my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy because of my groaning.

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him! Oh, that I might come to his place!

Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?

4 I would lay my case in order before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

5 I would learn the words with which he would answer me and would understand what he would say to me.

That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

6 Would he argue against me in the greatness of his power? No, he would pay attention to me.

I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

7 There the upright person might argue with him. In this way I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

8 See, I go eastward, but he is not there, and westward, but I cannot perceive him.

But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.

9 To the north, where he is at work, but I cannot see him, and to the south, where he hides himself so that I cannot see him.

If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come out like gold.

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

11 My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept to his way and turned not aside.

My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

13 But he is one of a kind, who can turn him back? What he desires, he does.

For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

14 For he carries out his decree against me; there are many like them.

And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

15 Therefore, I am terrified in his presence; when I think about him, I am afraid of him.

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

16 For God has made my heart weak; the Almighty has terrified me.

God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

17 I have not been brought to an end by darkness, because of the thick darkness that covers the gloom of my face.

For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.