Job 23

1 Then Job answered,

Then answered Job, and said,

2 “Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

Even now is my complaint bitter: my suffering is heavier than my groans.

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

Oh who would grant that I knew where I might find him! that I might attain to his Judgment throne!

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

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

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

I should know the words which he might answer me, and understand what he might say unto me.

6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

Would he with his power contend against me? he would truly not lay such doings to my charge.

7 There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

There would an upright one argue with him; and I should be allowed to escape for ever by my judge.

8 “If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

But, lo, I go eastward—and he is not there; and to the west— and I cannot perceive him;

9 He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

When he doth great things at the north, I behold him not; he hideth himself in the south—and I see him not.

10 But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

But he knoweth the way that I take: were he to probe me, I should come forth as gold.

11 My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

On his steps my foot hath held fast: his way have I kept, and swerved not.

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

From the commandment of his lips have I also not moved away: as a fixed statute for me have I treasured up the sayings of his mouth.

13 But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

But he is unchangeably one, and who can turn him? And what his will desireth, even that he doth.

14 For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

For he will bring to completion what hath been destined for me: and like these hath he many other things with him.

15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

Therefore am I terrified at his presence: I will reflect, and be in dread of him.

16 For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

Still God hath made timid my heart, and the Almighty hath terrified me;

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

Because I was not destroyed before this darkness, and because he hath not hidden from my face [this] gloom.