Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said,

Job replied,

2 Even to-day [is] my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

“Just the same, my complaints today remain bitter. In spite of my groaning he is still punishing me.

3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!

If only I knew where I could find him so I could go to where he sits in judgment.

4 I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

There I would lay out my case before him and present all my arguments in full.

5 I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

I would discover how he would answer me and learn what he has to say to me.

6 Would he plead against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put [strength] in me.

Would he fight against me using his mighty power? No, he would pay attention to what I have to say.

7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

There a good person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

8 Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

If I go to the east, he's not there; if I go the west, I don't find him.

9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him]:

If he's working in the north, I don't perceive him; if he's moving south, I don't see him.

10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Yet he always knows where I'm going. When he has proved me, I will come out shining like gold.

11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

I have kept in step with him; I have followed his way without turning aside.

12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].

I have not neglected his commands, for I value what he has told me to do more than the food I eat every day.

13 But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.

But God is unchangeable—who can turn him from his purposes? He does whatever he wants to do.

14 For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] with him.

So he will finish whatever he has planned for me—and he has many plans for me.

15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

That's why I'm terrified at meeting him; when I think of him I tremble with fear.

16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

God has made me faint-hearted; the Almighty has scared me to death.

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.

Yet I'm still here despite the dark—even though I can't see through the utter darkness.