Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said,

And Job made answer and said,

2 Even today is my complaint rebellious: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

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

If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!

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

I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

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

I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.

6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.

7 There the upright might reason with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.

8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;

9 On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him.

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

For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

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

My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.

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

But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.

14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs.

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

For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

16 For God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath troubled me:

For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

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

For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.