Job 23

1 Then Job answered and said,

Then responded Job, and said: —

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

Even to-day, is my complaint rebellion? His hand, is heavier than my groaning.

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

Oh that I knew where I might find him! I would come even unto his dwelling-place;

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

I would set out, before him, a plea, and, my mouth, would I fill with arguments;

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

I would note the words wherewith he would respond to me, and would mark 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, with fulness of might, contend with me? Nay, surely, he, would give heed 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 reason with him, so should I deliver myself completely from my judge.

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

Behold! eastward, I go, but he is not there, and, westward, but I perceive him not;

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.

On the north, where he worketh, but I get no vision, He hideth himself on the south that I cannot see him.

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

But, he, knoweth the way that I choose, Having tried me, as gold, I shall come forth.

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

Of his steps, my foot taketh hold, His way, have I kept, and not swerved;

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.

The command of his lips, and would not go back, and, in my bosom, have I treasured the words of his lips.

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

But, he, is one, and who can turn him? What his soul desired, he hath done.

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

Surely he will accomplish what is decreed for me, and, many such things, hath he in store.

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

For this cause, from his presence, am I driven in fear, I diligently consider and am kept back from him in dread:

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

Yea, GOD, hath made timid my heart, and, the Almighty, hath put me in terror.

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

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor, before my face, did the gloom form a shroud.