Job 23

1 And Job answered and said,

Then Job answered,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 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.

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

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

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

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

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

12 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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