Job 23

1And Job made answer and said,

1Then Job answered and said,

2Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

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

3If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!

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

4I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

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

5I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.

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

6Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.

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

7There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.

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

8See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;

8Behold, I go forward, but he is notthere; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;

9I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see 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.

10For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

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

11My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

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

12I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.

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 his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.

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

14For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs.

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

15For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

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

16For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

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

17For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.

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