Job 23

1 Then Job answered, and said:

Then Job answered and said,

2 Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

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

3 Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?

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

4 I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

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

5 That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

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

6 I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

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

7 Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

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

8 But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.

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

9 If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see 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 knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

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

11 My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

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 have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.

13 For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

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

14 And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

15 And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

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 God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

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

17 For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.

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