Job 23

²“Today also my complaint is bitter;

his hand is heavy despite my groaning.

³Oh, that I knew where I might find him,

that I might come even to his dwelling!

⁴I would lay my case before him,

and fill my mouth with arguments.

⁵I would learn what he would answer me,

and understand what he would say to me.

⁶Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?

No; but he would give heed to me.

⁷There an upright person could reason with him,

and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.

⁸“If I go forward, he is not there;

or backward, I cannot perceive him;

⁹on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him;

I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.

¹⁰But he knows the way that I take;

when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold.

¹¹My foot has held fast to his steps;

I have kept his way and have not turned aside.

¹²I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;

I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth.

¹³But he stands alone and who can dissuade him?

What he desires, that he does.

¹⁴For he will complete what he appoints for me;

and many such things are in his mind.

¹⁵Therefore I am terrified at his presence;

when I consider, I am in dread of him.

¹⁶God has made my heart faint;

the Almighty has terrified me;

¹⁷If only I could vanish in darkness,

and thick darkness would cover my face!