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.

Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.

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

Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the matter]?

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

And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.

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

And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would perceive what he would tell me.

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

Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not threaten me;

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

for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my judgment to an end.

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

For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know [concerning] the latter end?

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

When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed [it] not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see [it].

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

For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.

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

And I will go forth according to his commandments, for I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,

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 shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.

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

And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed [a thing] and done it.

14 For he performs that which is appointed for me. 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 him; and when I was reproved, I thought of him. Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be afraid of him.

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

But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.

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

For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered [me] before my face.