Job 23

1 Then Job answered:

2 “Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

3 If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.

4 I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.

6 Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

7 Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

8 If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

9 When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

10 Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

11 My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.

12 I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

13 But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.

14 For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.

15 Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.

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

17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.

1 ¶ Then Job answered and said,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 Job answered and said:

2 My speech is yet grieved; my power is weak above my groaning.

3 Oh that I knew how to find him, and how to come to his throne!

4 and the law before him should submit, and take a mouthful of punishment

5 and learn the speech which he would answer me, and hear what he would say to me!

6 Will he deal with me with great power? Let him not stand thus against me,

7 But lay it before me straightway, and I shall win my right.

8 But if I go straight before me, he is not there: if I go back, I feel him not.

9 If he be on the left hand, I will not take him: if he be hid on the right hand, I will not see him.

10 But he knoweth my way. Try me, and I shall be found as gold.

11 For I set my foot in his way, and keep his path, and turn not aside.

12 And tread not from the commandment of his lips; and keep the speech of his mouth more than I owe.

13 He is agreed, who will answer him? And he does it as he wills.

14 And though he recompense me that which I have earned, yet is his more behind.

15 Therefore I am afraid of him; and when I perceive, I am afraid of him.

16 God hath made my heart foolish, and the Almighty hath affrighted me.

17 For the darkness maketh no end of me, and the darkness will not be hid from me.