Job 23

1 Then responded Job, and said: —

Job replied,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If I go to the east, he's not there; if I go the west, I don't find 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 he's working in the north, I don't perceive him; if he's moving south, I don't see him.

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

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

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

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

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 neglected his commands, for I value what he has told me to do more than the food I eat every day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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