Job — Chapter 23

1Then Job answered and said,

2Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

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

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

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

6Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

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

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

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

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

11My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

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

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

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

16For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.

1Then Job answered and said,

2Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me;

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

1Then Job answered:

2“Even today my complaint is still bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning.

3O that I knew where I might find him, that I could come to his place of residence!

4I would lay out my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

5I would know with what words he would answer me and understand what he would say to me.

6Would he contend with me with great power? No, he would only pay attention to me.

7There an upright person could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge.

8“If I go to the east, he is not there, and to the west, yet I do not perceive him.

9In the north when he is at work, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I see no trace of him.

10But he knows the pathway that I take; if he tested me, I would come forth like gold.

11My feet have followed his steps closely; I have kept to his way and have not turned aside.

12I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion.

13But he is unchangeable, and who can change him? Whatever he has desired, he does.

14For he fulfills his decree against me, and many such things are his plans.

15That is why I am terrified in his presence; when I consider, I am afraid because of him.

16Indeed, God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

17Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness, because of the thick darkness that covered my face.

1Then Job answered,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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