Job 23
1Then Job answered and said, 1
2“Even today my complaint is bitter; 1 my hand + 23:2 Some copies have: his hand is heavy because of my groaning. 1
3Oh, that I knew where I might find him! 1 Oh, that I might come to his place! 1
4I would lay my case in order before him 1 and fill my mouth with arguments. 1
5I would learn the words with which he would answer me 1 and would understand what he would say to me. 1
6Would he argue against me in the greatness of his power? 1 No, he would pay attention to me. 1
7There the upright person might argue with him. 1 In this way I would be acquitted forever by my judge. 1
8See, I go eastward, but he is not there, 1 and westward, but I cannot perceive him. 1
9To the north, where he is at work, but I cannot see him, 1 and to the south, where he hides himself so that I cannot see him. 1
10But he knows the way that I take; 1 when he has tested me, I will come out like gold. 1
11My foot has held fast to his steps; 1 I have kept to his way and turned not aside. 1
12I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; 1 I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. 1
13But he is one of a kind, who can turn him back? 1 What he desires, he does. 1
14For he carries out his decree against me; 1 there are many like them. 1
15Therefore, I am terrified in his presence; 1 when I think about him, I am afraid of him. 1
16For God has made my heart weak; 1 the Almighty has terrified me. 1
17I have not been brought to an end by darkness, 1 because of the thick darkness that covers the gloom of my face.