Job 23

1 Then responded Job, and said: —

Then Job answered, and said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 I would note the words wherewith he would respond to me, and would mark what he would say to me.

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

6 Would he, with fulness of might, contend with me? Nay, surely, he, would give heed to me!

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

7 There an upright man, might reason with him, so should I deliver myself completely from my judge.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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