Job 23

¹Then Job answered by saying:

²Now again my conversation is in bitterness, and the force of my scourging weighs more heavily on me because of my mourning.

³Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and that I may approach even to his throne?

⁴I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,

⁵so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.

⁶I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk of his greatness.

⁷Let him show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.

⁸If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will not understand him.

⁹If I turn to the left, what can I do? I will not take hold of him. If I turn myself to the right, I will not see him.

¹⁰Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.

¹¹My feet have been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed from it.

¹²I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.

¹³For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.

¹⁴And when he fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.

¹⁵And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.

¹⁶God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.

¹⁷Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.

¹Then Job answered, and said:

²Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

³Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?

⁴I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

⁵That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

⁶I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

⁷Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

⁸But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.

⁹If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

¹⁰But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

¹¹My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

¹²I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

¹³For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever his soul hath desired, that hath he done.

¹⁴And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

¹⁵And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him, I am made pensive with fear.

¹⁶God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

¹⁷For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.