Job 23

1 Job replied,

Then Job answered and said:

2 “Just the same, my complaints today remain bitter. In spite of my groaning he is still punishing me.

Still is my complaint bitter; But my wound is deeper than my groaning.

3 If only I knew where I could find him so I could go to where he sits in judgment.

O that I knew where I might find him! That I might go before his throne!

4 There I would lay out my case before him and present all my arguments in full.

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

5 I would discover how he would answer me and learn what he has to say to me.

I should know what he would answer me, And understand what he would say to me.

6 Would he fight against me using his mighty power? No, he would pay attention to what I have to say.

Would he contend with me with his mighty power? No! he would have regard to me.

7 There a good person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

Then would an upright man contend with him, And I should be fully acquitted by my judge.

8 If I go to the east, he's not there; if I go the west, I don't find him.

But, behold, I go eastward, and he is not there; And westward, but I cannot perceive him;

9 If he's working in the north, I don't perceive him; if he's moving south, I don't see him.

To the north, where he worketh, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the south, and I cannot see him.

10 Yet he always knows where I'm going. When he has proved me, I will come out shining like gold.

But he knoweth the way which is in my heart; When he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 I have kept in step with him; I have followed his way without turning aside.

My feet have trodden in his steps; His way I have kept, and have not turned aside from it.

12 I have not neglected his commands, for I value what he has told me to do more than the food I eat every day.

I have not neglected the precepts of his lips; Above my own law have I esteemed the words of his mouth.

13 But God is unchangeable—who can turn him from his purposes? He does whatever he wants to do.

But he is of one mind, and who can turn him? And what he desireth, that he doeth.

14 So he will finish whatever he has planned for me—and he has many plans for me.

He performeth that which is appointed for me; And many such things are in his mind!

15 That's why I'm terrified at meeting him; when I think of him I tremble with fear.

Therefore I am in terror on account of him; When I consider, I am afraid of him.

16 God has made me faint-hearted; the Almighty has scared me to death.

For God maketh my heart faint; Yea, the Almighty terrifieth me;

17 Yet I'm still here despite the dark—even though I can't see through the utter darkness.

Because I was not taken away before darkness came, And he hath not hidden darkness from mine eyes.