Job 23

1Then Job answered and said,

1Then Job answered and said,

1Then Job answered, and said:

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

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

2Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

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

3Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?

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

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

4I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

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

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

5That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

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

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

6I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

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

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

7Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

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

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

8But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand 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.

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:

9If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

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

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

10But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

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

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

11My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

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.

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

12I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

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

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

13For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever his soul hath desired, that hath he done.

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

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

14And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

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

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

15And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him, I am made pensive with fear.

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

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

16God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

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

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

17For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.