| Job 23:1 |
Then Job answered and said, |
| Job 23:2 |
Today also my complaint is bitter; / My stroke is heavy because of my groaning. |
| Job 23:3 |
Oh that I knew where I might find Him, / That I might come to His seat! |
| Job 23:4 |
I would present [my] cause in order before Him, / And I would fill my mouth with arguments. |
| Job 23:5 |
I would know the words which He would answer me, / And I would understand what He would speak to me. |
| Job 23:6 |
Would He contend with me in the greatness of [His] power? / No; but He would give heed to me. |
| Job 23:7 |
There the upright man can argue with Him; / So I would be delivered forever from my Judge. |
| Job 23:8 |
Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; / And backward, but I do not perceive Him; |
| Job 23:9 |
To the left, where He acts, but I cannot look on [Him;] / He hides Himself on the right, so I cannot see Him. |
| Job 23:10 |
But He knows the way that I take; / Should He try me, I would come forth as gold. |
| Job 23:11 |
My foot has held fast to His steps; / I have kept His way and have not turned aside. |
| Job 23:12 |
As for the commandment of His lips, I have not turned back from [it;] / I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my apportioned food. |
| Job 23:13 |
But He is of one [mind,] and who can turn Him? / And what His soul desires, that will He do. |
| Job 23:14 |
For He performs what has been appointed to me, / And many such things are with Him. |
| Job 23:15 |
Therefore I am terrified at His presence; / I consider and am in dread of Him. |
| Job 23:16 |
So God has made my heart faint, / And the Almighty has terrified me; |
| Job 23:17 |
Because I was not cut off before the darkness, / Nor did He cover the deep darkness from my face. |