Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said,

Then Job answered,

2 “Even today my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy because of 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! Oh, that I might come to his place!

Oh that I knew where I might find him. That I might come even to his seat.

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

I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would learn the words with which he would answer me and would understand 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 argue against me in the greatness of his power? No, he would pay attention to me.

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

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

There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

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

"If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can't find 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.

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

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

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

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

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 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 of a kind, who can turn him back? What he desires, he does.

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

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

For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

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

Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

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

For God has made my heart faint. Shaddai has terrified me.

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

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