Job 23

¹Then Job answered:

²“Today also my complaint is bitter,

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 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; he would give heed to me.

⁷There an upright man could reason with him,

and I should be acquitted for ever by my judge.

⁸“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there;

and backward, but I cannot perceive him;

⁹on the left hand I seek him, but I cannot behold him;

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

¹⁰But he knows the way that I take;

when he has tried me, I shall come forth as 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 is unchangeable and who can turn 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;

¹⁷for I am hemmed in by darkness,

and thick darkness covers my face.