Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

And Job made answer and said,

2 “Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

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

If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!

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

I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.

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

Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.

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

There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.

8 “If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;

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

I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him.

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

For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

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

My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

12 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.

I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.

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

But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.

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

For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs.

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

For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

16 For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

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

For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.