Job, 23

1. Job spoke next. He said:

1. Then Job answered and said,

2. My lament is still rebellious; despite my groans, his hand is just as heavy.

2. Even to day [is] my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3. Will no one help me to know how to travel to his dwelling?

3. Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!

4. I should set out my case to him, advancing any number of grievances.

4. I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5. Then I could learn his defence, every word of it, taking note of everything he said to me.

5. I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

6. Would he put all his strength into this debate with me? No, he would only have to give his attention to me,

6. Will he plead against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put [strength] in me.

7. to recognise his opponent as upright and so I should win my case for ever.

7. There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

8. If I go to the east, he is not there; or to the west, I still cannot see him.

8. Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

9. If I seek him in the north, he is not to be found, invisible as ever, if I turn to the south.

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. And yet he knows every step I take! Let him test me in the crucible: I shall come out pure gold.

10. But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11. My footsteps have followed close in his, I have walked in his way without swerving;

11. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

12. I have not neglected the commandment of his lips, in my heart I have cherished the words of his mouth.

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 once he has made up his mind, who can change it? Whatever he plans, that he carries out.

13. But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.

14. No doubt, then, but he will carry out my sentence, like so many other decrees that he has made.

14. For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] with him.

15. That is why I am full of fear before him, and the more I think, the greater grows my dread of him.

15. Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

16. God has undermined my courage, Shaddai has filled me with fear.

16. For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

17. The darkness having failed to destroy me, I am plunged back into obscurity by him!

17. Because I was not cut off before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.