1Then Job replied:2‘Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand[1] is heavy in spite of[2] my groaning.3If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!4I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.5I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me.6Would he vigorously oppose me with great power? No, he would not press charges against me.7There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered for ever from my judge.8‘But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.9When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.10But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.11My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.12I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.13‘But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases.14He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store.15That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.16God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.17Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.
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.