Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

And Job answered and said,

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

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

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

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

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

I would order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;

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

I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

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

Would he plead against me with [his] great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

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

There would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered for ever from my judge.

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

Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive 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.

On the left hand, where he doth work, but I behold [him] not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see [him] not.

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

But he knoweth the way that I take; he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.

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

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

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.

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have laid up the words of his mouth more than the purpose of my own heart.

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

But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, that will he do.

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

For he will perform [what] is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.

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

Therefore am I troubled at his presence; I consider, and I am afraid of him.

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

For God hath made my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me;

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

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.