Job 23

¹ And 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 to his seat! ⁴ I would order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments; ⁵ I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. ⁶ Would he plead against me with his great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me. ⁷ There would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered for ever from my judge.

⁸ Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive him; ⁹ On the left hand, where he doth work, but I behold him not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see him not. ¹⁰ But he knoweth the way that I take; he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold. ¹¹ My foot hath held to his steps; his way have I kept, and not turned aside. ¹² Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have laid up the words of his mouth more than the purpose of my own heart.

¹³ But he is in one mind , and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, that will he do. ¹⁴ For he will perform what is appointed for me; and many such things are with him. ¹⁵ Therefore am I troubled at his presence; I consider, and I am afraid of him. ¹⁶ For *God hath made my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me; ¹⁷ Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.