Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

Then 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 even to his seat!

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

I would order my 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 which 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.

Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

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

There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I 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.

Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot 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 cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

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: when he hath tried 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 his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

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 esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

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, even that he doeth.

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

For he performeth the thing that 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: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

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

For El maketh 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 covered the darkness from my face.