1Then Job answered and said,2Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.3Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!4I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.5I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.6Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.7There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.8Behold, I go forward, but he is not there ; and backward, but I cannot perceive 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 :10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.11My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food .13But he is in one mind , and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.14For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.15Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.16For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Job 23
English Standard Version
Job Replies: Where Is God?
1Then Job answered and said:2“Today also my complaint is bitter;[1] my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. (Job 10:1; Job 21:4; Ps 32:4)3Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! (Job 13:3; Job 16:21; Ps 9:7; Isa 57:15)4I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. (Job 33:5)5I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me.6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me. (Job 9:34; Job 13:21)7There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.8“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; (Job 9:11; Job 35:14)9on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.10But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. (Job 9:35; Ps 17:3; Ps 26:2; Ps 66:10; Ps 139:1; Ps 139:23; Ps 139:24; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:3; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 1:7; Re 3:18)11My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. (Ps 17:5; Ps 44:18; Ps 125:5)12I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. (Ps 119:11; Ps 119:103; Joh 4:32; Joh 4:34)13But he is unchangeable,[2] and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. (Job 9:12; Job 12:14; Ps 115:3)14For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind. (Job 10:13; Job 27:11; 1Th 3:3)15Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him.16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; (De 20:3; Ps 22:14)17yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face.