Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Even to day
is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him!
that I might come
even to his seat!
4 I would order
my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words
which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6 Will he plead against me with
his great power? No; but he would put
strength in me.
7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he
is not
there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold
him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see
him:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take:
when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary
food.
13 But he
is in one
mind, and who can turn him? and
what his soul desireth, even
that he doeth.
14 For he performeth
the thing that is appointed for me: and many such
things are with him.
15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness,
neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.